Sanctions on palladium and titanium: US-EU dynamics

RIA Novosti reports that the United States is pressing Europe to broaden sanctions against Russia by restricting the supply of palladium and titanium. The move signals a strategy that treats high-value metals as levers of economic pressure that can spill over from sanctions on energy into manufacturing, trade, and technology. For Europe, palladium and titanium are not mere commodities; they underpin critical industries and high-stakes projects. Palladium is essential in catalytic converters for most gasoline and many diesel engines, and it features in chemical processing and electronics manufacturing. Titanium offers unmatched strength-to-weight ratios and resilience, qualities that make it indispensable in aircraft, several engineering applications, and strategic infrastructure. European policymakers hear the message that halting these metal supplies could trigger a cascade of impacts on production schedules, maintenance cycles, and market competitiveness. The debate sits at the crossroads of national security, industrial policy, and the practical stability of supply chains. A sudden tightening of access could affect household prices, employment, and regional trade patterns. Analysts describe the issue as a test of how the metal markets respond to geopolitical moves, as described by RIA Novosti.