Nestled within the "Data Center Corridor" of Northern Virginia, a multitude of sprawling, windowless edifices serve as the computational backbone for the U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) sector, a domain embroiled in fierce rivalry with China. Yet, these data hubs are growing increasingly dependent on a critical technological component: batteries sourced from China.

These data centers, with their voracious appetite for electricity, exert immense strain on the local power grid. Voltage fluctuations pose a significant risk, potentially disrupting the delicate AI algorithms that underpin their operations. To mitigate this challenge, tech behemoths are poised to make substantial investments in procuring high-capacity lithium-ion batteries. However, China commands a dominant position in virtually every key segment of the battery industry, boasting clear superiority in both technological prowess and industrial scale.

The U.S. military, too, is apprehensive about the prospect of sourcing millions of batteries for future weaponry from China. China's ascendancy in the battery arena is increasingly perceived as a looming national security threat.