The US faced a tungsten shortage after record-breaking missile expenditure in #Iran, where #China holds a monopoly on tungsten - NBC News - Tungsten is used in fighter jets, bombs, shells, and missile systems, making it indispensable for defense. - In the US, tungsten mines have not been operational since 2015, and the #Trump administration is trying to reduce dependence on Chinese supplies. - China has dominated the global tungsten industry for decades