Australian silicon maker Simcoa to quit US market after 40% tariff imposed

After the US International Trade Commission ruled that silicon metal imports from Australia and Norway were causing material injury to a US industry, the Department of Commerce imposed a combined anti-dumping and countervailing duty that adds about 40% to Simcoa's export costs. Simcoa Operations Pty Ltd, wholly owned by Japan's Shin-Etsu Chemical, announced that it will exit the US market permanently on August 14, clearing out its limited warehouse stock.

Vice-president David Miles called the ruling "absolute rubbish" and said US law is being used by domestic firms to block foreign competition. He added the company will seek new customers in Southeast Asia, India and Europe. Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King said the government will raise the issue with the Trump administration but maintains that the tariffs do not undermine the existing critical minerals agreement with the United States.