U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy has led a letter from Montana’s Congressional delegation to President Trump, calling for immediate action against Russia’s trade practices in the palladium market. The delegation is urging the president to impose a 50 percent tariff on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, citing concerns over market manipulation and dumping that have affected domestic production.
The letter was signed by Senator Sheehy, Senator Daines, Representative Troy Downing, and Representative Ryan Zinke. It follows Senator Sheehy’s visit to Sibanye-Stillwater’s metallurgical complex, which is currently the only primary source of palladium and platinum in the United States.
“Russia currently dominates global palladium production and has exploited this position to undercut American producers. By flooding the U.S. market with underpriced palladium—bolstered by heavy state subsidies, lax environmental regulations, and government-controlled mining rights—Russia is attempting to wipe out domestic competition and secure monopoly control of a mineral critical to both our defense and energy future. The result has been catastrophic for Montana workers. Prices have collapsed by more than half, leading to steep production cuts, hundreds of high-paying mining jobs lost, and the real threat of total mine closure. America cannot afford to become dependent on Russian-controlled palladium, especially at a time of growing global instability. If we act now, we can save what remains of our domestic industry, bring back hundreds of high-paying mining jobs, and re-establish a strong supply chain in America,” the group wrote.
In their letter addressed to President Trump, the delegation stated: “We write as members of Montana’s Congressional Delegation to express our strong support for decisive action to stop Russia’s predatory trade practices and protect American jobs and critical mineral production. Specifically, we urge you to immediately impose a 50 percent tariff on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia in response to their ongoing market manipulation and dumping.”
They highlighted that Sibanye-Stillwater supports thousands of American workers through its operations in Montana. The metals produced are considered vital for national defense and energy sectors.
The delegation referenced Executive Order 14241 on “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” which emphasizes restoring American control over important supply chains as an issue of national security.
Sibanye-Stillwater and the United Steelworkers union filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on July 30, 2025 with federal agencies regarding Russian unwrought palladium imported through BASF in Germany. These petitions allege dumping practices that harm the U.S. industry but note that any remedy would take about 13 months.
“A 50 percent tariff on Russian unwrought palladium would be a bold, America First action to level the playing field, stop unfair foreign competition, and restore U.S. production. It would send a clear message: the days of hostile foreign regimes exploiting our markets and killing our jobs are over. We urge you to take this step to protect American workers, secure critical minerals, and put U.S. interests first,” they wrote.
