The Trump administration is pushing for up to a 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas, developer of the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada. (Reuters)
The deal: Lithium Americas secured a $2B DOE loan last year. The administration is now renegotiating those terms with the equity included, citing price pressure from Chinese oversupply.
Why it matters: The mine is slated to become the Western Hemisphere’s largest lithium source when it opens in 2028. It’s seen as a linchpin for building a domestic lithium supply chain and reducing reliance on China, which refines over 75% of the world’s supply.