Why the U.S. and China Are Racing to Secure Lithium | U.S. vs. China

The U.S. used to be a global leader in lithium processing, but it lost its market control to China in the early 2000s. Since then, China has developed its own lithium supply chain, controlling 55% of the market. Now, the U.S. is trying to secure its own supply in a race for independence.

Lithium is a critical component in batteries and the world’s transition to green energy. Demand for the light metal has surged and is expected to reach nearly 2.5 million metric tons by 2028.

WSJ explores China’s major supply chain vulnerability and the U.S.’s long road to build its own.