Montana Republicans call for 50 percent tariff on Russian palladium imports

The Montana congressional delegation is urging President Trump to introduce a 50 percent tariff on Russian palladium imports, after a multinational mining group with a presence in the state submitted a similar request earlier this month. 

GOP Sens. Tim Sheehy and Steve Daines alongside Reps. Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing sent a Thursday letter to the Trump administration, asking officials to “stop Russia's predatory trade practices and protect American jobs and critical mineral production.” 

“Specifically, we urge you to immediately impose a 50 percent tariff on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia in response to their ongoing market manipulation and dumping,” the lawmakers wrote.

Russia is one of the largest suppliers of palladium to the U.S., and its exports have increased by 42 percent over the last year, according to Reuters.

Palladium is a chemical element used in catalytic converters, which converts 90 percent of harmful emissions from car exhaust.

Sibanye-Stillwater, the mining company, said prices for the element are at risk of skyrocketing, skewing the global market in favor of Russia and South Africa, which is another large supplier of the chemical. 

“Russia currently dominates global palladium production and has exploited this position to undercut American producers,” the GOP group wrote.

“By flooding the U.S. market with underpriced palladium bolstered by heavy state subsidies, lax environmental regulations, and government-controlled mining rights Russia is attempting to wipe out domestic competition and secure monopoly control of a mineral critical to both our defense and energy future,” they added, noting a “catastrophic” impact on Montana workers.

Sibanye-Stillwater’s July 30 case will be considered by the federal government within the next year, per the letter, but the Montana Republicans said a “final remedy” is needed sooner. They’ve asked the White House to respond promptly.

Still, the Trump administration remains locked in peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the president decided to forgo secondary sanctions on the Kremlin without explanation.

The Hill reached out to the White House for comment.