Epidemic slows U.S. push to extract EV minerals, counter China Epidemic slows U.S. push to extract EV minerals, counter China March 26, 2020 dzadmin Comments 0 Comment The coronavirus pandemic is hobbling U.S. efforts to produce lithium, rare earths and other materials used in EVs and high-tech equipment, dealing a blow to President Trump’s plan to curb Chinese control of the strategic minerals sector.