Sheehy Leads Letter to President Trump to Stop Russia’s Predatory Palladium Trade, Protect Montana Jobs

U.S. SENATE – Today U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy led a letter from the Montana delegation to President Trump expressing strong support for decisive action to stop Russia’s predatory trade practices and protect American jobs and critical mineral production. The group urged the president to immediately impose a 50 percent tariff on imports of unwrought palladium from Russia in response to their ongoing market manipulation and dumping.

The letter comes as Senator Sheehy tours the metallurgical complex for Sibanye-Stillwater, the only primary source of palladium and platinum in the United States, which has been affected by Russia’s predatory trade practices. The letter was signed by Senator Sheehy, Senator Daines, Rep. Troy Downing, and Rep. Ryan Zinke.

“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.

View the delegation’s letter to President Trump HERE, or read the full text below:

Dear Mr. President:

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.

Montana is proud to be home to Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations, which are the only primary source of palladium and platinum in the United States. These metals are not only critical to our national defense and energy sectors, but their domestic production supports thousands of American workers and entire communities in our state. As your administration rightly recognized in Executive Order 14241 on “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” restoring American control over vital supply chains is a matter of national security.

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.

Sibanye-Stillwater needs this support immediately, but they are not standing back waiting for help. On July 30, 2025, Sibanye-Stillwater and the United Steelworkers union filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on unwrought palladium from Russia. The petitions were filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission and allege that imports of unwrought palladium through a German company, BASF, from Russia are dumped, subsidized, and contributing to injury to the domestic palladium industry. Unfortunately, any final remedy available in this trade case will not occur for 13 months. While this case could offer just the remedy these operations need for long-term sustainability, it does not solve the need for immediate tariffs on Russian palladium.

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.