On March 4, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce launched a Section 232 investigation into titanium sponge imports, with the support of the Department of Defense.
According to the Department of Commerce’s press release, titanium sponges has a wide range of strategic use in the production of military aircraft, space vehicles, satellites, naval vessels, missiles, and munitions, along with critical infrastructure. Imports currently account for 60% of U.S. consumption and only one U.S. facility has the capacity to process titanium ore into the sponges used for production.
The Department of Commerce press release may be found here:
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2019/03/us-department-commerce-initiates-section-232-investigation-titanium