Northern Graphite Comments on Impacts of US Decision to Impose Antidumping Tariffs on Chinese Graphite
Northern Graphite Comments on Impacts of US
Decision to Impose Antidumping Tariffs on
Chinese Graphite
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 22, 2025) - Northern Graphite Corporation
(
TSXV: NGC)
(OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE:0NG) (XSTU: 0NG
)
(
the "
Company
" or "
Northern
")
is pleased to provide
comment on and clarify recent developments in the US critical minerals industry that promote a shift
toward domestic sourcing of graphite based active anode material ("
AAM"
), the largest component of
lithium-ion batteries used in everything from power tools to electric vehicles.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's ("
Commerce"
) preliminary determination last week that China is
dumping AAM into the American market marks a change in the North American battery materials
landscape, especially when viewed alongside President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."
In its July 17 determination, Commerce imposed preliminary anti-dumping (AD) tariffs of 93.5% on
imports of Chinese graphite-based active anode material, including AAM within finished lithium-ion
batteries. The effective tariff rate for AAM is now 160% when added to countervailing duty (CVD) tariffs
of 11.5% placed by Commerce in May, President Trump's blanket 30% tariff on goods from China, and
25% Section 301 tariffs implemented by USTR last year.
The measures are effective almost immediately and are retroactive, meaning importers must post large
cash deposits on recent and future shipments. In a statement posted to its website, Commerce noted the
value of AAM imports from China
amounted to US$350 million in 2023 and $380 million in 2022.
Commerce identified a number of Chinese firms subject to the preliminary 93.5% duties, while others
that were not specifically listed and which are not able to demonstrate independence from the Chinese
government, will face even higher rates of 102.72%.
"Following the recent passing of the Big Beautiful Bill, which already puts pressure on battery
manufacturers to source their materials from outside China or risk losing access to the 45X tax credit,
this determination increases the likelihood that U.S. battery manufacturers will turn to regional suppliers
like Northern," said Northern Chief Executive Officer Hugues Jacquemin. "Together, these developments
strongly favour domestic sourcing and represent a historic opportunity for North America's only producer
of natural graphite, Northern Graphite. With plans to build one of the region's largest AAM plants in Baie-
Comeau, Quebec, Northern is well positioned to support a secure and sustainable graphite supply chain
for North America as the market continues to develop."
Northern Graphite is a founding member of the North American Graphite Alliance (NAGA), a coalition
formed to advance policy and promote investment in a secure domestic graphite supply chain. NAGA
has worked actively to engage U.S. policymakers and advocate for trade measures and incentives that
support the development of a sustainable and competitive graphite industry that can meet demand from
legacy and defense applications and the rapid growth driven by the energy transition and widescale
electrification.
The antidumping and countervailing duty cases were initiated by the American Active Anode Material
Producers (AAAMP), a subset of NAGA, alongside other North American AAM industry petitioners with
Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC) in December 2024. The anti-dumping
investigation determined that AAM is being sold at less than fair value ("dumped"), and follows a
separate, countervailing duty (CVD) investigation in which Commerce made a preliminary determination
in May that affirmed
that the Chinese government is subsidizing the production and supply of graphite
AAM to the United States.
"While preliminary, this determination carries real and immediate legal weight," said Mr. Jacquemin. "It's
a clear signal that efforts to establish a fair and competitive North American graphite industry are gaining
traction."
The final determinations for both the AD and CVD investigations - which could result in higher tariffs - will
be issued around December 5th, 2025.
View more on the Commerce determination here:
Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the
Antidumping Duty Investigation of Active Anode Material from the People's Republic of China
.
View comments from the AAMP here:
AAAMP Welcomes Commerce Ruling That China Is Wrongfully
Dumping Graphite Into U.S. - North American Graphite Industry
.
About Northern Graphite
Northern, the only flake graphite producing company in North America, is a Canadian, TSX Venture
Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and
upgrading it into high-value products critical to the green economy, including anode material for lithium-
ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. The Company's
mine-to-battery strategy is spearheaded by its Battery Materials Division, which has a fully equipped,
state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt and is focused on developing advanced anode materials to
improve the cycle life and increase the charging rate of lithium ion batteries.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec where the Company plans
to increase production to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from
North American battery makers. The Company also owns the large-scale, advanced stage Bissett Creek
project in Ontario, the Mousseau Project in Quebec and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in
Namibia that is currently on care and maintenance. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are
located close to infrastructure in politically stable jurisdictions.
For media inquiries contact
Pav Jordan, VP of Communications
Email:
For additional information
Please visit the Company's website at
https://www.northerngraphite.com/home/
, the Company's profile
on
www.sedarplus.ca
our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.
YouTube
X
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by
words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential",
"possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will",
"could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements
regarding, among others, the Company's plans to extend the mine life of its LDI mine, develop its
Baie-Comeau Battery Anode Material facility, intentions to restart the Okanjande mine in Namibia
and development plans for its other projects including Bissett Creek. All such forward-looking
statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their
experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments,
as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements
are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in
laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to
perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or
inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver
anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or
operations and the inability to raise required financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what
management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that
actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date
of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject
to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the
date of this news release.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
news release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259585