Russia may restrict the exports of key metals including nickel and palladium if the US imposes high duties on imports of aluminum from Russia to put more pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Although the US imports only a small portion of aluminum from Russia, nickel is still essential for the aerospace industry and electric vehicle batteries. Besides, palladium is also a key material for autocatalysts in gas-fuelled vehicles.

According to statistics, the US imported about 11% of the 92,600 tons of nickel in 2022 from Russia. It also imported around 20 tons of Russia's palladium, about 35% of the total imports.