Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo sent an important letter to President Trump this week. He’s asking for help with something that could affect jobs and energy independence in our country. Let me tell you why this matters to folks who believe in smaller government and American self-reliance.
What’s in the Letter
On April 14, Governor Lombardo wrote directly to President Trump about a big problem facing Nevada’s growing lithium industry. In his letter, Lombardo thanked the President for his work bringing manufacturing jobs back to America. Then he got to the main point – tariffs on lithium are hurting American businesses.
“I write to share concerns about the impacts of tariffs on Nevada’s burgeoning lithium industry,” the Republican Governor stated in his letter to the President.
The Governor explained that the lithium industry is still new in America. Right now, we don’t have the technology to refine lithium while following our environmental rules. This means all manufacturing-grade lithium comes from China.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This is exactly the kind of issue that should concern conservatives who believe in limited government and free markets. When the government puts tariffs on materials we need but can’t yet produce here, it ends up hurting American businesses instead of helping them.
Nevada has North America’s largest known lithium deposits. This could be a game-changer for American energy independence. But government policies are getting in the way of progress.
Some companies are trying to work around the problem by sending lithium to Canada and Mexico for processing, then bringing it back.
But as Lombardo points out, this:
“threatens American operations and domestic jobs.”
The Thacker Pass Project Shows What’s Possible
Just last week, Governor Lombardo toured the Thacker Pass lithium mine site in Winnemucca. When finished, this will be the largest lithium mine in America.
The project will create over 350 permanent jobs and produce enough lithium for about 800,000 electric vehicles each year. This is the kind of American production that reduces our dependence on foreign countries.
But the Governor warns that U.S. companies :
“cannot absorb the costs of newly imposed tariffs, rendering them increasingly uncompetitive in the global market.”
What Critics Are Saying
Some environmental groups and Native American tribes have raised concerns about the Thacker Pass mine. They worry about wildlife habitats and water quality.
However, even some tribal leaders see the benefits. The acting chair of the Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe noted that the project will provide important economic opportunities for tribal members.
The real debate here isn’t about whether we should have lithium production. It’s about whether government policies should help or hurt American businesses trying to compete globally.
What Happens Next
In his letter, Governor Lombardo asks President Trump to reconsider and remove the tariffs on lithium. He makes a strong case that this would:
“help secure American jobs, strengthen our economy, and support our path toward energy independence.”
Meanwhile, work continues at Thacker Pass. The CEO of Lithium Americas says they already have over 100 workers and will soon have 350 more as they begin pouring concrete foundations.
This project represents a real chance for America to become less dependent on foreign countries for critical materials. But its success depends partly on government policies that allow businesses to compete fairly.
What You Can Do
If you believe in American energy independence and free markets, here are some simple ways to help:
- Contact your representatives in Congress. Tell them you support removing tariffs that hurt American lithium production.
- Learn more about the issue. Governor Lombardo suggested we should all “survey it, get to know about it, and appreciate what we are achieving” with projects like this.
- Support policies that get government out of the way of American businesses. When companies can compete without unnecessary regulations and tariffs, we all benefit through more jobs and stronger communities.
The story of Nevada’s lithium shows us once again that limited government and free markets are the best path to prosperity and independence.
Read the full letter here: Governor Lombardo Letter on Energy
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
