China, on October 9, announced a major expansion of its rare earth export controls, escalating tensions with the US and drawing sharp criticism from President Donald Trump. In response, Trump vowed to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods starting on November 1.
South Korea's once-dominant battery manufacturers are losing their footing in the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, as Chinese rivals surge ahead, driven by low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, strategic pivots, and overwhelming production efficiency. New data shows Korea's three major battery makers—LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI—are ceding market share at an accelerating pace.
