How are the US and Europe responding to their dependence on China for lithium supply?

The US and Europe are actively scrambling to develop alternative lithium supply chains to reduce their dependence on China. This urgent initiative comes in response to China's export restrictions on lithium processing equipment, which threatens to disrupt the global electric vehicle battery production ecosystem. As China maintains a dominant position in global lithium refining, Western nations are racing to establish independent supply networks and technologies to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities. This strategic pivot aims to ensure continued EV battery production capabilities while reducing geopolitical risks associated with overreliance on a single source country for critical battery materials.