Part 4/7:
Strategic Control of Lithium Supply
As China transforms from a net importer of lithium to a principal global supplier, it gains unprecedented control over the lithium market. This shift enables China to exercise considerable influence over lithium prices and supply dynamics, potentially reshaping trade routes and prompting other nations to adapt their strategies in response.
Countries such as Australia, Chile, and Argentina, which have traditionally supplied lithium to China, will face new economic pressures as China enhances its domestic supply. The ramifications of this shift could lead to tighter competition among producers and push lithium-rich countries to bolster their extraction capabilities or seek alternative markets.