Is China still a supplier of lithium battery cells?

China remains a primary supplier of lithium battery cells for the U.S. market. In December 2024, lithium battery imports from China exceeded $1.9 billion, according to U.S. trade records. However, changes under the 2025 tariff framework have added new barriers to this trade.

Will China impose tariffs on lithium-ion EV batteries?

An interesting issue will be the imposition of tariffs. There are existing tariffs pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on some Chinese-origin lithium-ion EV batteries and non-lithium-ion battery parts, which were increased to 25% in September 2024.

Which international trade issues will remain a concern for energy storage projects?

Two major areas of international trade that will remain causes of concern for energy storage projects are the application of tariffs and supply chain integrity.

How many lithium batteries did the US import in 2024?

This marks a significant increase compared to the average 20.8% rate recorded in 2024. Recent trade data shows that the U.S. imported approximately $1.9 billion lithium batteries from China in 2024. With the implementation of Trump’s China tariffs in 2025, these imports now face a much higher cost structure.

Which stationary energy storage products are affected by battery tariffs?

Stationary Energy Storage Products Affected by Battery Tariffs Large-format stationary energy storage systems like Tesla’s Powerwall and Megapack also face cost increases due to the latest tariffs. These products rely heavily on lithium battery cells sourced from Chinese suppliers.

Should lithium batteries be reliant on one supplier?

As policy is changing all of the time, it’s good for companies to not be reliant on one supplier for all of their lithium battery supply needs. Trade wars also open the door for emerging territories to enter competition, such as India and Southeast Asia. Policies can also specifically target tech, a highly priced and heavily used consumer good.