Germany May import price index rose 6.8% YoY, versus 6.5% expected and 5.3% in April.

At its 2026 second extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, Ganfeng Lithium said recent lithium carbonate price swings reflect market noise rather than a change in fundamentals — lithium-salt supply and demand remain in a tight balance. June’s price drop was driven by seasonal spot weakness, amplified concerns over hidden inventories and continued weakness in futures. The company said the short-term dip should support downstream restocking ahead of the peak season. Looking to H2 and next year, supply-side risk is elevated: two–three years of depressed prices curtailed large-scale capex, and near-term new output largely comes from earlier projects, keeping expansion measured. Demand remains cautiously optimistic: storage and EV segments, supported by geopolitics and high energy prices that raise the priority of energy independence and security, should provide medium- to long-term support for lithium demand.

A Qatar foreign ministry spokesman said U.S. envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Doha but will not hold direct meetings with Iranian officials. They will meet mediators to discuss negotiation progress, and the reportedly frozen $6 bln of Iranian assets has not been transferred to Tehran.