Overview

• China processes about 65% of the world’s lithium, 85% of graphite and 97% of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
• The United States imports roughly 75% of its lithium-ion batteries from China, leaving key defense platforms dependent on foreign supplies.
• Piedmont Lithium and Albemarle have announced plans for new lithium processing plants in North Carolina and South Carolina, but both projects face significant permitting setbacks.
• Over the past 20 years, 26 Chinese state-backed banks have invested $57 billion in overseas mining and processing ventures, securing controlling stakes in critical mineral assets.
• The FDD report calls for streamlined federal permitting, private investment incentives, strategic stockpiles, talent pipelines, special economic zones and ally-shoring to fortify U.S. supply chains.