:

US, ALLIES RACE TO BREAK CHINA'S BATTERY GRIP

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
WED, APR 22, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

The United States and other nations are intensifying efforts to compete with China's dominance in battery manufacturing and supply chains. New discoveries and industrial investments are reshaping the global energy storage landscape.

China controls a substantial portion of global battery production, from raw material processing to finished cells. This dominance raises strategic concerns for Western economies dependent on battery technology for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. The US is pursuing multiple strategies to reduce reliance on Chinese batteries. These include developing domestic manufacturing capacity, securing alternative mineral sources, and investing in next-generation battery technologies. Other nations, including members of the EU and Japan, are similarly accelerating their own battery initiatives. Companies and governments are exploring alternative chemistries, improving recycling processes, and establishing supply chain diversification. Recent technical breakthroughs in solid-state batteries, sodium-ion alternatives, and manufacturing efficiency are advancing the field. The competition reflects broader geopolitical tensions around critical technology supply chains and energy transition infrastructure.

■ SOURCES

Bloomberg Tech

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE HARDWARE DESK

Garmin unveiled its Fenix 9 smartwatch line with OLED displays reaching 3,000 nits—twice as bright as the previous generation. The rugged timepiece starts at $999.99 for the 43mm model.

3H AGOIndustry Desk

Competing humanoid robots set new speed records at the World Humanoid Robot Games, though some units caught fire during competitions. The event highlighted both advances in robotics performance and ongoing reliability challenges.

4H AGOIndustry Desk

The FDA has authorized the first wearable device capable of continuously monitoring both ketone and blood sugar levels. The device enables real-time metabolic tracking for users managing diabetes and metabolic conditions.

4H AGOIndustry Desk

Apple's new M6 chip shows respectable performance improvements built on a 2nm process, but existing M5 users face no pressing reason to upgrade.

6H AGOIndustry Desk

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF

ONE EMAIL, 5 STORIES, 06:00 UTC. UNSUBSCRIBE ANYTIME.