Transportation

Rivian Stockpiled EV Batteries From Asia Ahead of Trump Tariffs

Rivian vehicles at a service center in New York.Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg
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Rivian Automotive Inc. quietly built a reserve of electric-vehicle batteries from Asia ahead of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, giving the company a measure of insurance against the upheaval in trade policy now pressuring the automotive supply chain.

The EV maker directly acquired a supply of lithium iron phosphate cells from China’s Gotion High-Tech Co. late last year, ahead of the US election, according to people familiar with the matter.