Trump administration 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 is part of negotiations to renegotiate the repayment terms of a $2.26 billion Department of Energy loan awarded to the company. Despite President Trump’s previous skepticism about the energy transition, a White House official emphasized his support for the project’s success and fairness to taxpayers. The Thacker Pass mine’s first phase is expected to produce enough lithium to supply materials for 800,000 electric vehicles annually. General Motors (GM) is a major investor in Lithium Americas, holding a 38% stake acquired for $625 million last year. This investment grants GM the right to purchase the entire output of the mine’s first phase and 20 years of the second phase, potentially securing lithium for 1.6 million electric vehicles over two decades. The Trump administration is reportedly asking GM