1257 ET - Lithium has quickly become a strategic resource essential to U.S. national security, clean energy, and economic competitiveness. The metal is used in a wide range of products from EVs, cell phones, and laptops to energy storage and medicine. While countries like Australia and Chile produce plenty of raw lithium, China dominates the processing, creating a supply chain vulnerability. For this reason, the U.S. is ramping up its involvement in lithium, from funding and regulation to potential ownership, because it sees the mineral as critical to its clean energy future and geopolitical independence. Jefferies analysts see a potential positive ripple effect if the U.S. government buys a stake in Lithium Americas, because investors are likely to see equity stakes as an indictor of a favorable return on invested capital. (adriano.marchese@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 24, 2025 12:57 ET (16:57 GMT)

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