Tier-1 Auto · Q2 2026 diversification mandate · last refresh 14:21 UTC
+24.8% MoM · 99% China-origin · two viable ex-China sources qualified
Qualified premium vs. global px
| Material | Spot | 30d | China dep. | Risk | Top producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lithium Carbonate (battery-grade) Li₂CO₃ | 15,420tonne | 8.4% | 65% | High | Australia |
Cobalt (refined) Co | 33,200tonne | 2.1% | 78% | Critical | DRC |
Nickel — Class 1 (battery-grade) Ni | 18,900tonne | 3.2% | 42% | High | Indonesia |
Neodymium Oxide Nd | 78.4kg | 12.6% | 87% | Critical | China |
Dysprosium Oxide Dy | 410kg | 24.8% | 99% | Critical | China |
Gallium (refined) Ga | 685kg | 18.2% | 94% | Critical | China |
Germanium Ge | 2,980kg | 6.7% | 83% | Critical | China |
Spherical Graphite (battery anode) C | 5,650tonne | 4.1% | 91% | Critical | China |
USTR finalizes Section 301 graphite anode tariff at 25% from 2027-01-01
Office of the United States Trade Representative published final rule. Affects Chinese-origin spherical natural and synthetic anode-grade graphite. IRA FEOC rules apply concurrently — qualified non-Chinese material command premium.
EU 14th sanctions package: Norilsk Nickel partial restrictions extended
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/823 extends import restrictions on Russian Class-1 nickel through Q2-2027. Existing long-term contracts grandfathered until 2026-12-31. EU OEMs accelerating substitution programs.
Nouveau Monde Graphite achieves first commercial CSPG production
Bécancour, Québec — first coated spherical purified graphite shipment to Panasonic Energy. Annual run-rate 18,000t; full ramp to 42,000t by Q3-2026. Material qualifies as Foreign Entity of Concern compliant under IRA §30D.
MOFCOM expands rare-earth export license regime to magnet assemblies
Ministry of Commerce Order 2026/9 brings NdFeB and SmCo finished magnets and motor sub-assemblies into the strategic export licensing system. License cycle 30–45 days. Western magnet buyers urged to verify Q3-2026 deliveries.
Neodymium oxide spot up 12.6% MoM — second consecutive monthly increase
Fastmarkets and Argus assessments converge on $78–80/kg range as Chinese export-license tightening tightens free-market flow. Lynas and Iluka contracts repricing at quarterly indexed mechanism.