The U.S move to impose higher tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is set to have an impact on the U.S. battery supply chain — and create investing opportunities, according to Bernstein. The White House said the tariff hikes on Chinese EVs and other products from the Asian giant are necessary to protect American industries from unfair competition. Those tariffs will benefit the U.S.
But Bernstein said it prefers Samsung SDI to LG Energy Solution for now, as the former offers "growth at a reasonable price." In the cathode market, Bernstein said LG Chem is the "most notable Korean company" and it expects it to "close the valuation discount" with LG Energy Solution as the battery materials business grows. In fact, cathodes are the "most diversified" in terms of suppliers within the U.S.