What’s the impact of China’s proposed export controls on lithium and cathode technologies?

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

This month China said it would consider restricting the exports of key technologies used to produce lithium as well as cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries. In this video, Benchmark analysts explain what this means for the global electric vehicle and battery industries. China accounted for 68% of lithium chemical production in 2024, according to Benchmark’s Lithium Forecast. The country also accounted for 99% of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material production, according to Benchmark’s Cathode Forecast. The proposals come just as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office for the second time. He has proposed to put tariffs of over over 60% on all Chinese exports.