Northern Graphite Comments on U.S. Trade Ruling on China Graphite Materials
Northern Graphite Comments on U.S. Trade
Ruling on China Graphite Materials
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 12, 2026) - Northern Graphite Corporation
(TSXV: NGC)
(OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG)
(the "
Company
" or "
Northern
") announces that while it
is disappointed with the March 12 decision of the United States International Trade Commission ("ITC")
to not support the findings of the U.S. Department of Commerce ("
Commerce
") and impose duties on
Chinese graphite materials, the Company believes broader momentum toward establishing a domestic
graphite industry in North America remains strong.
The ITC decision follows findings by Commerce that imports of subsidized Chinese graphite active
anode material ("
AAM"
) were being sold at artificially low prices into the United States and were
harming the development of a domestic industry. With the ITC's final determination, which ruled the AAM
imports "have not materially retarded the establishment of an industry in the United States," Commerce
will remove the 160% duties previously imposed on imports of Chinese AAM.
"While we are disappointed by the outcome of this case, it is important to recognize that the
development of a Western graphite industry is being supported by a range of policy initiatives and
industry investments," said Northern Chief Executive Hugues Jacquemin. "We remain optimistic about
the future of the North American graphite industry, and we will continue working with the Trump
administration, policymakers and industry partners to advocate for measures that help create a level
playing field and support the development of secure domestic supply chains for graphite."
Graphite is the single largest component of lithium-ion batteries by weight and a critical input for both
electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. Northern is currently advancing plans to expand
graphite production and build downstream processing capacity to produce AAM in North America,
Europe and the Middle East as part of efforts to support the development of an independent battery
materials supply chain outside of China.
Western governments are increasingly implementing policies aimed at securing critical mineral supply
chains and reducing reliance on a single dominant supplier. In Europe, new "Made in Europe" content
rules expected to be introduced as part of the European Commission's Industrial Accelerator Act are
designed to strengthen regional supply chains for batteries and other clean-energy technologies.
Canada has also stepped up efforts to position itself as a global supplier of critical minerals, including
graphite, through targeted investments, strategic partnerships and policies aimed at expanding
domestic production and processing capacity.
"Building a sustainable graphite industry outside of China will ultimately require coordinated policy,
investment and collaboration across several jurisdictions," said Mr. Jacquemin. "Today's decision does
not change the fundamental importance of graphite to the energy transition or the growing recognition
among Western governments that resilient supply chains for critical minerals must be established."
Northern 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 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.
About Northern Graphite
Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is the only flake graphite producing
company in North America.
Northern 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 Group,
which has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt and is focused on advancing plans for
developing battery anode material plants in Saudi Arabia, Quebec and France.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec, where the Company is
boosting output 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
graphite project in Ontario and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia, which is currently
on care and maintenance, and represents an opportunity to substantially increase graphite production at
a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects. 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
northerngraphite.com
, 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 expand graphite production and downstream
processing capacity in North America, Europe and the Middle East. 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.
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