Exclusive: West Concerned Over China’s Interest in Strategic Vietnamese Tungsten Mine

Western officials are growing increasingly uneasy about a potential Chinese takeover of a major tungsten mine and refinery in Vietnam, according to sources familiar with the matter. The site, one of the largest known sources of the critical mineral outside of China, has attracted interest from entities linked to Beijing raising fears about further consolidation of global tungsten supply under Chinese influence.
The mine, whose name has not been officially disclosed due to commercial sensitivity, is considered strategically significant in the ongoing global competition over critical minerals materials essential for the production of semiconductors, aerospace components, military equipment, and clean energy technologies.
Strategic Mineral, Strategic Stakes
Tungsten is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. and EU due to its unique properties and limited sources of production. China currently controls more than 80% of global tungsten refining capacity, prompting Western countries to diversify their supply chains to ensure economic and national security.
Sources say officials in Washington, Brussels, and key Indo-Pacific capitals are quietly urging Hanoi to consider non-Chinese investment partners, potentially from the U.S., Japan, or Australia, to avoid a scenario where China dominates yet another strategic mineral supply line.
Vietnam’s Balancing Act
Vietnam, which has emerged as a key node in U.S. and Western economic strategy in Southeast Asia, is reportedly weighing its options. The country has welcomed investments from both Western and Chinese firms, but growing geopolitical pressure may force it to choose sides particularly on assets deemed critical.
The tungsten mine in question includes both mining and refining facilities, making it even more valuable due to the added capability to process raw material into high-purity tungsten products used in advanced industries.
Geopolitical Implications
The situation underscores a broader strategic competition playing out across Southeast Asia, where resource security, foreign investment, and supply chain resilience are at the center of economic diplomacy.
The U.S. and its allies have launched several initiatives, including the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), aimed at reducing dependence on China for key minerals. The Vietnamese tungsten asset is now viewed as a critical test case in these efforts.