WASHINGTON—According to an upcoming report of the SAFE Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, “There is ample opportunity for the United States, its allies, and countries with which it has trade agreements to start increasing capacity and developing new supply chains that uphold adherence to high standards.”
The full minerals report is scheduled for release at the upcoming SAFE Summit: A Pathway to Electrification from Minerals to Market on March 28-29, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The summit’s agenda includes a panel of international officials from U.S. allies and trading partners who will discuss how like-minded countries are working together to diversify their critical mineral supply chains. The panel includes:
H.E. Anna-Michelle Asimakopolou: Greek Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade. Next week the E.U. is expected to implement a Critical Raw Materials Act to increase and diversify Europe’s supply of mineral resources and raw materials.
H.E. Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States. In addition to being America’s second biggest trading partner, Canada’s strength in natural resources, including energy and critical minerals, its skilled workforce and advanced manufacturing, give it a central role in advancing the world’s sustainable energy transition.
Mr. Satoshi Nohara, Director-General, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry in Japan. Mr. Nohara oversees ministry policy for digital industries, including semiconductors and batteries.
H.E. Juan Gabriel Valdés: Ambassador of Chile to the U.S. Chile is a leading producer of critical minerals and, as a Free Trade Agreement country, poised to benefit from the electric vehicle tax credit provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The panel will be moderated by Michèle Flournoy, Chair of the Center for a New American Security, co-founder of WestExec Advisors, and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
Preceding the panel will be a keynote lunch presentation by David van Weel, Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Emerging Security Challenges.
The SAFE Summit aims to seize the historical moment provided by the IRA legislation and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The two days of remarks, hosted interviews, panel discussions, and engagements will offer practical next solutions to build out robust and reliable supply chains and supporting infrastructure for EVs and the broader energy transportation transition.
Approximately 40 government and business leaders from the U.S. and internationally are confirmed to attend or speak at the summit, including White House Senior Advisor John Podesta, Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta, and Megan Myungwon Lee, CEO of Panasonic North America.
The summit will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. To register and for more summit information, go to www.SAFESummit.org.
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