The U.S. Commerce Department is actively pursuing antidumping and countervailing duty cases against Chinese graphite-based anode materials, with a preliminary decision expected around July 16, 2025. This has positioned U.S. companies such as Westwater Resources (WWR), which is constructing a graphite anode plant, as potential beneficiaries of increased tariffs on Chinese battery materials. Meanwhile, the lithium market has experienced notable price increases following the halt of lithium production by Chinese miner Zangge in Qinghai due to regulatory non-compliance. Zangge's suspension of 11,000 tons per year of lithium output has contributed to a surge in lithium prices, driving shares of key lithium producers higher. Albemarle (ALB) shares rose 8.5%, Sociedad Química y Minera (SQM) increased over 8%, and other lithium producers like SGML and Tianqi also saw gains. The Chilean IPSA stock index rose strongly in response, led by SQM's more than 7% jump. Lithium carbonate prices in the Chinese spot market increased by 2.62% on July 17, marking an 11.21% rise since late June. Lithium futures continue to rally, supporting bullish sentiment in companies such as Lithium Americas (LAC), which is viewed as having strong cyclical and market tailwinds amid the current environment.