Trump admin wants 10% stake in American lithium miner that sells to GM

The Trump administration is seeking up to a 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas, the company developing the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada, which is poised to become the largest lithium mine in the Western Hemisphere. This request comes as part of renegotiating the repayment terms of a $2.26 billion Department of Energy loan. Despite President Trump’s critical stance on the energy transition, a White House official emphasized his support for the project’s success and fairness to taxpayers, noting that "there’s no such thing as free money." The Thacker Pass mine’s first phase is expected to produce enough lithium to supply batteries for up to 800,000 electric vehicles annually. General Motors, which holds a 38% stake in Lithium Americas following a $625 million investment last year, has secured rights to purchase the entire first phase production and 20 years of the second phase, totaling lithium sufficient for 1.6 million EVs over two decades. The Trump administration is reportedly asking GM to guarantee