Panasonic Energy plans to reduce its reliance on China for the supply of electric vehicle (EV) batteries made in the United States, a top executive told Reuters, citing the shift as a primary objective.
Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America, emphasized the company’s intention to adapt its supply chain in response to the evolving trade landscape, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods. “The first thing the business has to do in regards to Trump tariffs is ‘not to have the supply chain dedicated from China,'” Swan said in an interview at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.
Panasonic Energy, a key supplier of EV batteries to Tesla and other automakers, operates a plant in Nevada and is preparing to open a second factory in Kansas later this year. The move highlights how the ongoing trade tensions are prompting global companies to reconsider their manufacturing strategies and reduce exposure to Chinese imports.
Source: Reuters
