Lithium Supply Is Diversifying, But China Controls the Value Chain
Global lithium output is expanding in Australia and Chile, but China dominates processing and battery exports, capturing most of the downstream value.
Global lithium output is expanding in Australia and Chile, but China dominates processing and battery exports, capturing most of the downstream value.
Diverging energy import dependence across Asia is enabling more targeted investment across the region.
Manufacturing scale, strong export growth and deepening services trade are repositioning Türkiye as a cost-competitive supply base for Europe.
Fast-growing Asian economies span frontier markets, manufacturing hubs and large domestic systems, highlighting uneven pathways to scale.
Steady growth, strong domestic demand and rising FDI are shifting Indonesia from a commodity-led model toward downstream industrialisation.
China’s exports to Africa grew 26% in 2025, led by machinery, vehicles and light manufacturing, while imports expanded only modestly.
China’s crude steel output has stabilised near peak levels while India expands rapidly, reflecting a gradual rebalancing of global steel demand.
Saudi Arabia’s economy has roughly doubled over the past decade, yet oil exports still dominate trade.
Asia accounts for over half of China’s trade, but growth momentum is shifting toward developing regions, especially Africa and Latin America.
With commodity exports down from 2021, faster growth in machinery, electronics and transport imports has narrowed Australia’s trade surplus.