The mining company Sibanye-Stillwater has welcomed a new preliminary decision by the US Department of Commerce to impose tariffs on imports of Russian palladium into the United States.
The ruling concerns alleged state subsidies and introduces a preliminary countervailing duty of 109.10 per cent on unwrought palladium from Russia. This comes in addition to a previously proposed anti-dumping tariff of 132.83 per cent.
Combined, the preliminary tariffs amount to 241.93 per cent.
Trade dispute intensifies
The case stems from a petition filed in July 2025 by Sibanye-Stillwater together with the United Steelworkers union.
The company has argued that Russian palladium exports to the US are sold at unfairly low prices and benefit from government support, distorting competition.
– The preliminary determination validates our actions to ensure a level playing field and protect strategically important US production of critical minerals, said CEO Richard Stewart in a statement.
He added that the company’s US operations comply with stricter environmental and labour regulations and contribute to local communities, particularly in Montana.
Final decision expected in May
The proposed tariffs will only take effect after a final decision is published in the Federal Register.
At the same time, the United States International Trade Commission is conducting a parallel investigation to determine whether the imports have caused injury to the domestic industry. A final hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2026, with a decision expected on May 19.
The outcome will determine whether the tariffs are made permanent.
A strategically important metal
Palladium plays a key role in the automotive industry, where it is used in catalytic converters to reduce emissions. Global supply is heavily concentrated, with Russia and South Africa among the leading producers.
Sibanye-Stillwater is one of the world’s largest producers of platinum group metals, including palladium, and operates across multiple continents.
However, trade measures of this scale risk disrupting global supply chains and price stability, particularly in a market already shaped by geopolitical tensions and concentrated production.
Source: Sibanye-Stillwater
Fact check
Palladium is a critical material for emissions control in gasoline vehicles. The US has previously introduced trade restrictions on Russian metals amid rising geopolitical tensions.
