South Korea's LG Energy Solution closes $4.3B battery deal with Tesla

LG Energy Solution (LGES), a South Korean battery manufacturer, has signed a $4.3 billion agreement with Tesla to become the primary supplier of batteries for the electric vehicle giant’s energy storage systems. The deal marks a strategic move by Tesla to reduce its reliance on Chinese imports amid concerns over potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump.

According to a source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries will be produced at LGES’s facility in Michigan.

South Korea expands its business in the US amid increasing local demand 

LGES made the $4.3 billion deal public on Wednesday, July 30. According to its announcement, the company will be a global distributor of LFP batteries for over three years.

LGES, however, did not disclose details on who their client was and the purpose their batteries would serve. For instance, running vehicle engines or acting as energy storage systems.

The demand for electric automobiles has drastically decreased since the second half of last year. Following this, LGES intends to take advantage of the situation to enhance its LFP battery sales in the market and solidify its position as the global supplier of storage batteries. 

Additionally, with the increased adoption of AI, several data center projects have been initiated, calling for sufficient and reliable power supply. This is a promising opportunity to increase demand for storage batteries. 

In an interview, reporters asked LGES why it hid details about its client. Respondingly, the South Korea-based company stated that the deal was private; hence, that was the rule of the deal. When asked to comment, Tesla declined a request.

Just three months ago, Vaibhav Taneja, a Chief Financial Officer of Tesla Motors, complained that Trump’s tariff policies had dragged their business behind, decreasing their income. This is because LFP batteries, used in their operations, mainly came from China, one of the key trading partners of the US.

Concerning this, Taneja brought up the need for an alternative LFP battery supply chain that does not involve China. However, he mentioned that achieving this would take some time. Notably, automotive companies do not want to get involved with trading countries that do not operate in the US, as most are subject to tariff rates.

Tesla revealed that it has struck a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung Electronics to supply it with the necessary chips for its operations. Interestingly, Samsung Electronics is also a South Korea-based company. This highlights that the country is expanding its business in the US to satisfy the increasing local demand.

South Korea ramps up US trade talks and battery expansion

Meanwhile, as South Korea extends its business operations in the US, it is also working on negotiating a trade deal with the US concerning its 25% tariff on imports to the US that will take effect on August 1 if not addressed.

To demonstrate the seriousness of the situation, the country has sent three government officials to meet with Howard Lutnick, the United States Secretary of Commerce, to try to find a common ground in the negotiations.

Although Chinese companies primarily supply LFP batteries, their supply is limited in the US markets due to restrictions that have been set. With few industries in the US, LGES conquers these barriers, hence dominating the supply of  LFP batteries in the US markets.

LG Energy Solution launched its first US facility in Michigan this May. To expand its business further in the US, LGES intends to shift some of its production lines to electric vehicle batteries to support energy storage systems. The company arrived at this decision after noticing a consistent drop in demand for EVs. 

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