The Biden administration has launched an investigation into a dramatic rise in enriched uranium imports from China. This action comes amid concerns that these imports could serve as a backdoor for Russia to bypass a U.S. ban on Russian uranium.
The U.S. government is scrutinizing a sharp increase in Chinese uranium imports since late 2023. Fears persist that these imports might be enabling Moscow to circumvent the U.S. ban on Russian uranium, a measure implemented to curb Russia’s funding for its war in Ukraine, according to Reuters. Following the ban on Russian uranium by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2023, Chinese uranium shipments to the U.S. skyrocketed to 242,990 kilograms. This surge is particularly alarming, considering China did not export any enriched uranium to the U.S. from 2020 to 2022.
The U.S. Department of Energy is closely monitoring these imports to ensure compliance with the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act. A spokesperson for the department asserted that the U.S. is vigilant about imports from China and other countries to prevent them from importing Russian uranium under the guise of exporting domestically produced material.
President Joe Biden signed the ban on Russian uranium into law in May, aiming to cut off a substantial funding source for Russia amidst its conflict with Ukraine. This move was met with approval from North American uranium mining companies, which have been ramping up production due to rising prices and increasing demand for nuclear fuel. In response to the ban, the U.S. also announced a $2.7 billion investment in domestic uranium production to reduce reliance on Russian imports. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the domestic supply chain for nuclear reactor fuel, which previously relied heavily on foreign sources, including Russia.
China’s increased uranium imports have also attracted scrutiny, particularly given the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. In August, Chinese state media criticized President Biden’s revised nuclear strategy, accusing the U.S. of using China as an excuse to maintain a large nuclear arsenal. The Global Times, a Beijing government media outlet, suggested that the U.S. should prioritize rebuilding mutual trust with China through dialogue.
