重要鉱物の供給網強化へ　ＥＶ向け、「脱中国依存」―日米が新協定

　日米両政府は２８日、電気自動車（ＥＶ）向けバッテリーに使われるリチウムなど重要鉱物資源の安定調達に向け、サプライチェーン（供給網）強化を目指す新たな協定を結んだと発表した。資源を貿易相手国に対する経済的威圧の手段に用いる中国への依存度を低減させる狙いで、同様の枠組みを先進７カ国（Ｇ７）にも拡大したい考えだ。
　また、新協定により日米は自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）を締結した扱いとなる。これを受け、米国のインフレ抑制法に明記されたＥＶの税額控除の対象に、日本で採取または加工された重要鉱物を使ったバッテリー製品が含まれる見通し。日本メーカーも恩恵を受けそうだ。（2023/03/28-23:40）

The Japanese and U.S. governments Tuesday announced that they have concluded a new agreement to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals including lithium, which is essential to electric vehicle batteries.
   Through the deal, the two countries hope to reduce their dependence on China, which has used resources as a tool of economic coercion. Tokyo and Washington also aim to expand this agreement to other Group of Seven countries.
   The deal effectively marks the conclusion of a bilateral free trade agreement. This means that batteries using any of the key minerals procured or processed in Japan are expected to be eligible for electric vehicle-related tax credits under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.
   Under the agreement, Japan and the United States will work together to secure stable supplies of five critical minerals, which also include cobalt, nickel, graphite and manganese.
   The two nations agreed to take concerted action if another country, such as China, deliberately disrupts the supply chains.