What is the expected impact of any upcoming regulatory or trade policy changes on LRC's royalty streams?
Regulatory & Tradeâpolicy outlook for LRCâs royalty stream
The most material driver of Lithium Royalty Corp.âs (LRC) cashâflow is the volume of lithium produced by its partner miners, which is directly exposed to any changes in government policy or bilateral trade rules that affect the supply chain. In the current environment, two policy fronts are likely to move in the next 6â12âŻmonths:
EVâsupportive regulations and âgreenâindustrialâ subsidies â Canada, the United States, and the EU are finalising tighter emissions standards and expanding tax credits for batteryâelectric vehicles. Those measures are expected to boost demand for âcleanâminedâ lithium, encouraging higher production runs and longerâterm offâtake contracts. If the forthcoming U.S. Inflation Reduction Act revisions or the EUâs Battery Regulation include explicit incentives for NorthâAmerican lithium, LRCâs downstream royalties should rise proportionately, as partner mines will be able to command higher realized prices and expand output.
Geopolitical trade frictions and export controls â The most immediate risk stems from tightening export licences on lithiumâcontaining concentrates and potential tariffs between the U.S./EU and China. A modest 5â10âŻ% duty on Chineseâorigin lithium feedstock would compress margins for downstream smelters, prompting them to source more from NorthâAmerican miners where LRC holds royalty interests. Conversely, any sudden restriction on Canadian lithium exports (e.g., stricter environmental licensing or indigenousârights reviews) could curtail production capacity, immediately depressing LRCâs royalty receipts.
Trading implication
Given the upside bias from likely EVâfriendly subsidies and the defensive cushion provided by a possible tradeâshift away from China, we see a net positive nearâterm impact on LRCâs royalty stream, assuming no major supplyâdisruption rulings materialise. Traders should monitor: (i) the rollout of the U.S. and EU EV taxâcredit frameworks (expected Q3âQ4âŻ2025), (ii) announcements from the CanadaâU.S. Trade Council on lithium export tariffs, and (iii) any provincial permitting updates that could tighten or ease mine expansion. A bullish stance (e.g., buying on dips near the $1.30â$1.35 support zone) is justified if policy signals stay favorable, while a protective stop around $1.20 can guard against a sudden regulatory clampâdown that would choke production and royalty flow.