Lithium Supply Chain Geopolitics 2026: Why Low Prices Haven't Ended the Trade War
Lithium prices have stabilized in 2026, but the geopolitical battle between the US, EU, and China over battery minerals is intensifying. Explore the investment risks and policy shifts.
A 40% drop in lithium prices hasn't cooled the market. Instead, it's fueled a high-stakes trade war. As of January 12, 2026, the global battery industry is prioritizing 'de-risking' over raw cost efficiency.
Lithium Supply Chain Geopolitics 2026: The New Protectionism
According to Reuters, the White House has tightened Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules, effectively barring any battery with Chinese mineral content from federal subsidies. Even with lithium carbonate hovering at $21,000 per ton, Western powers are doubling down on supply chain independence.
The European Union is also pushing for a 10% domestic mining quota to counter the dominance of CATL and other giants. Experts argue that while prices are low, the complexity of compliance is reaching an all-time high.
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Chinese state-owned miner Jiangxi Copper is set to acquire London-listed SolGold for $1.2 billion, gaining control of the massive Cascabel copper project in Ecuador amid a global resource scramble.
South Korea's LS Eco Energy is investing $19 million in Vietnam's rare-earth sector, a strategic move to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from China for EVs and robotics.
A Seoul court dismissed an injunction against Korea Zinc's capital increase, paving the way for its $7.55B Tennessee refinery. The win for Chairman Choi comes amid an intensifying management control dispute.