The move will make Tesla the only major automaker in North America that will refine its own lithium.

“We can’t be in the position Europe was in front of the invasion of Ukraine,” said John Podesta, senior White House adviser for clean energy.

Minas Gerais will welcome “investors from all over the world” to Vale do Jequitinhonha, said governor Romeu Zema.

Market is expected to remain in a deficit in 2023 but conditions will not be as tight as previous years, according to the investment bank.

"His words disregarded facts and confounded black with white. The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this," the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said.