[4.3 Lithium Battery News] Trump Signs Proclamation to Provide Compensation for Tariffs on Auto Parts | Performance of Two Lithium Battery Giants Improves

[Trump Signs Proclamation to Provide Compensation for Tariffs on Auto Parts]US President Trump signed a proclamation on the 29th, allowing for a certain degree of compensation for automakers that import auto parts and assemble vehicles in the US. This latest move reflects the ongoing opposition from various sectors in the US to the government's tariff policies, placing increasing pressure on the administration. According to the proclamation, the compensation is intended to offset some of the tariffs on auto parts assembled in the US, with the maximum compensation amount reaching 3.75% of the vehicle's retail price. This compensation cap will be reduced to 2.5% of the vehicle's retail price in the second year. The previously announced 25% tariff on imported cars by Trump officially took effect on April 3, while the measure to impose a 25% tariff on key auto parts is scheduled to take effect on May 3. (Financial Associated Press)

[US Commerce Secretary Lutnick: Tariff Relief for Parts Only Applies to Finished Product Producers of Manufactured and Sold Cars]US Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated that tariff relief for parts only applies to finished product producers of manufactured and sold cars; parts under the USMCA will not be subject to tariffs, and relevant policies remain unchanged; two years is the agreed-upon timeframe to provide manufacturers with sufficient time to establish supply chains. There will be no relief period for a third year. (Financial Associated Press)

[LG Energy Solution and France's Derichebourg Establish Joint Venture to Build Battery Recycling Plant]LG Energy Solution announced the establishment of a battery recycling joint venture with French environmental service provider Derichebourg, which will invest in and construct a battery recycling plant. Both companies will hold a 50% stake each. The plant will be located in Bruyères-sur-Oise, northern France, and is expected to commence construction in 2026 and begin operations in 2027, with an annual processing capacity exceeding 20,000 mt. (Financial Associated Press)

[Tianqi Lithium: Q1 Net Profit of 104 Million Yuan, Turning Loss into Gain YoY]Tianqi Lithium (002466.SZ) released its 2025 Q1 report, reporting operating revenue of 2.584 billion yuan, down 0.02% YoY. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the publicly listed firm was 104 million yuan, turning a loss into a gain YoY. The main reasons include the shortened pricing cycle for lithium ore at the company's controlling subsidiary, Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd, and the expected YoY increase in the performance of its associated company, SQM, in Q1 2025.

[Ganfeng Lithium: Q1 Net Loss of 356 Million Yuan]Ganfeng Lithium (002460.SZ) announced that its operating revenue in Q1 2025 was 3.772 billion yuan, down 25.43% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders of the publicly listed firm was -356 million yuan. The main reasons are the decline in lithium prices and the increase in the proportion of domestic sales, leading to a YoY decrease in cash received from the sale of goods and provision of services, as well as higher bill discounting interest rates, prompting the company to actively control the scale of bill discounting. Meanwhile, the decline in the share price of Pilbara Minerals Limited, a financial asset held by the company, resulted in a loss due to changes in fair value, but the company partially hedged this impact through the active use of collar option strategies.

[Dongfeng Limited Responds to the Closure of Wuhan Plant]Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. confirmed that its Wuhan plant is currently operating normally and will not be closed in the future. Dongfeng Limited stated that the company will develop steadily and orderly with the support of its parent companies, Dongfeng and Nissan, and will continue to accelerate its transformation towards new energy and intelligence to better meet user needs. The Wuhan plant is a factory built using digital and intelligent technologies, capable of producing various car models, including internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and pure electric vehicles.