The recent announcement of funding for 47 strategic project, in line with the EU’s CO2 targets for carmakers in force this year, suggests progress. But after the EU’s tariffs on Chinese EVs, and the US waging its own trade war with China, is Europe’s road to electrification faltering?
Join the Argus Battery Materials team — editor Tom Kavanagh, reporter Chris Welch and analyst Dylan Khoo — in discussing what lies ahead in this fast-evolving market.
Key topics covered:
- The EU’s €22.5bn for 47 critical minerals projects
- China’s investments in Europe’s EV supply chain
- What might a US-China trade war mean for Europe?
- Will the EU meet its CO2 targets for 2035?
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US car tariffs cut Japan's auto industry sales orders
US car tariffs cut Japan's auto industry sales orders
Tokyo, 23 May (Argus) — The Japanese auto industry, especially component producers, are receiving lower-than-usual sales orders from clients likely because of the US' blanket 25pc tariff on car imports, the country's trade and industry ministry (Meti) said today. The impact of the US levy on domestic industries is emerging, according to a survey conducted by Meti. Concerns about the future sales outlook and business climate are also growing, it added. Meti has been conducting the survey on the US measure since early April, and released the preliminary results based on around 3,100 responses . An unnamed auto part producer received slightly lower than usual sales orders for April-June. But the tariff could cut its July orders by 20pc from usual levels, according to the survey. The actual sales order volume was not disclosed. Meanwhile, a manufacturer of car air conditioners was asked to delay its delivery for three months from June to September, likely because of the tariff measure, Meti said. An auto interior material producer said its business is reaching its breakeven cost, adding that it received 15pc fewer orders. The firm also said it may have to consider seeking new clients in non-car industries to secure profits, according to Meti. Another component producer said its US subsidiary is bearing the 25pc tariff on its raw material imports from Japan, adding that it is concerned about to what extent the situation would deteriorate. It remains unclear if or how much Japanese car producers will reduce their deliveries to the US, as Tokyo and Washington continues negotiations regarding the measure. Japan's passenger vehicle exports to the US increased by 12pc in April from a year earlier to 124,428 units, despite the tariff. By Yusuke Maekawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
USW calls on Trump to reject USS, Nippon deal
USW calls on Trump to reject USS, Nippon deal
Houston, 22 May (Argus) — The United Steelworkers (USW) union today called for the administration of President Donald Trump to reject Nippon Steel's newest proposal for investment in steelmaker US Steel. USW president David McCall in a statement today called Nippon a "serial trade cheater" and its proposed $14bn investment into the company a "disaster for American Steelworkers, our national security and the future of American manufacturing." The revived negotiations follow Nippon's $15bn bid for US Steel in 2023, which was eventually blocked by the outgoing administration of former president Joe Biden in January. Trump in February 2024 said that he would block the deal if elected. But a year later he said a deal could be negotiated if it did not involve a full takeover of US Steel , but was instead a large investment from Nippon. Trump in April called for a national security investigation into the deal and was presented yesterday with a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US. The results of that recommendation have not been made public. By Marialuisa Rincon Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chile chooses Rio Tinto to tap top Li deposit
Chile chooses Rio Tinto to tap top Li deposit
Sao Paulo, 22 May (Argus) — Chile's national mining company Enami chose Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto as its partner to explore and develop the Altoandinos project, the largest undeveloped lithium deposit in the country. The agreement — a public-private concession — gives Rio Tinto a 51pc stake in the project , with Enami holding the remaining 49pc. Both parties will invest a combined $3bn into the project, with Rio Tinto paying $425mn, according to Enami. Enami's board unanimously chose Rio Tinto out of a pool including China's BYD, French Eramet and South Korea's Posco. The miner will be responsible for the project's entire operation, which will be based on its proprietary direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. DLE does not require brine to be evaporated and allows for a much faster, more environmentally friendly operation, the company said. Rio Tinto will also help Enami finance the project until it reaches financial operation and will contribute to all necessary expenses to conduct a pre-feasibility study. Rio Tinto's DLE expertise helped close the deal because its Rincon plant in Argentina will be used as a demonstration and pilot plant for the Chileans since both brines have similar compositions, Enami said. The Altoandinos salt flar, or salar, has more than 15mn metric tonnes (t) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and production can reach 75,000t/yr, according to Enami. There is no time set yet for the project to start operating. This comes less than a week after Chilean copper giant Codelco chose Rio Tinto as its partner to explore the Maricunga salt flat , the second largest undeveloped lithium deposit in Chile. By Pedro Consoli Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Cliffs lowers HRC spot price by $65/st
Cliffs lowers HRC spot price by $65/st
Houston, 22 May (Argus) — Integrated steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs lowered its published hot-rolled coil (HRC) spot price by $65/short ton (st) today. Cliffs' HRC price now stands at $910/st — falling from the $975/st price in its April price letter, which itself was a $40/st increase from March. Cliffs also opened up its June spot order book. By Marialuisa Rincon Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
