Shares of Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) surged 75.24% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, following reports that the Trump administration is seeking an equity stake in the company as part of loan renegotiations for its Thacker Pass lithium project.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the U.S. government is looking to acquire up to a 10% stake in Lithium Americas. This move comes as the administration renegotiates terms of the company's $2.26 billion Energy Department loan for the Thacker Pass project, which is being developed in partnership with General Motors.

The Thacker Pass mine, located in Nevada, is set to become the Western Hemisphere's largest source of lithium when it opens in 2028. It is viewed as a crucial component in building a domestic supply chain and boosting U.S. production of lithium, a critical metal used in batteries for electric vehicles and other electronics. The Trump administration's interest in taking an equity stake is seen as part of a broader strategy to promote industries deemed critical to national security and reduce reliance on China, the world's largest lithium processor.

This development is the latest example of the U.S. government's direct intervention in the economy, following similar moves with companies like Intel and MP Materials. For Lithium Americas, the potential government stake could reduce financing risk, improve project execution, and signal strong policy support for critical minerals across administrations. Investors are reacting positively to the news, as evidenced by the significant pre-market stock surge, reflecting optimism about the project's future and the company's strategic importance in the U.S. lithium supply chain.