U.S. Mike Kelly, R-16th, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Securing America’s Titanium Manufacturing Act, a bill to temporarily waive the 15% tariff on imported titanium sponge to ensure U.S. manufacturers can compete with Russian and Chinese state-owned enterprises.

Titanium sponge is a raw material used in aircraft frames, jet engines, helicopters and missiles. There is no domestic production of the material, forcing U.S. manufacturers to import from abroad and pay the 15% tariff. The tariffs place American titanium producers at a disadvantage with producers in Russia and China who rely on local supplies of the material.

Japan provided over three quarters of U.S. titanium sponge imports in 2023. The bill authorizes the president to increase the duty back to 15% if there is enough domestic production to meet U.S. needs or if imports rise.