Final determinations regarding duties on graphite, used in batteries, are expected in early December, according to the US Commerce Department.

Its investigation came after a petition by the American Active Anode Material Producers, an ad-hoc coalition including US graphite producers, late last year.

Graphite is an important raw material used in making anodes of batteries, and China is a dominant player when it comes to its processing capacity of graphite.

The duty could raise temperatures in the global electric vehicle supply chain, potentially adding to costs for automakers who rely on the material for production.

The products covered under the investigation includes active anode material, whether or not they are contained in finished batteries.

The Commerce Department's notice came after Washington took aim at solar imports from Southeast Asia as well earlier this year.

Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has also separately targeted sector-specific imports with tariffs, including 50 percent duties on imported steel and aluminum, alongside other levies on autos.