The United States government is looking north of the border to Canada for help in increasing production of raw materials that are used to make electric vehicles (EVs).
In a meeting Thursday the U.S. Department of Commerce discussed with over 30 miners and battery manufacturers, including Tesla, different ways to help companies expand into Canada.
According to a source who revealed details of the discussions to Reuters, officials stressed the importance of acting quickly to build a U.S.-Canada EV supply chain.
The meeting comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden committed to building an EV supply chain last month.
Reuters reported that since Biden was elected, three U.S. mining companies have already invested in Canada. Even with the meeting the U.S. is also seeking to boost domestic production of EV battery materials.
Canada is seen as an ideal partner due to the difficulties with transporting the materials for EV batteries over long distances.
“The border between Canada and the U.S. is inconsequential with respect to EVs and EV minerals,” said Arne Frandsen, CEO of mining investment group Pallinghurst.
