China’s top lithium producer proposes deal for stake in Chile's SQM

• China’s Tianqi Lithium, the country’s largest lithium producer, says it plans to bid for a 23% stake in Chilean rival Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM -2.8%).
• Tianqi says it signed a non-binding offer with Oro Blanco to bid for its stake in Pampa Calichera, which in turn holds 23% of SQM.
• Chile's government has said it would not block a foreign takeover of SQM, and Tianqi's interest in gaining lithium supply may arouse worries that China could corner the market, but the U.S. Geological Survey estimates 14M tons of reserves of lithium globally, more than 400 years of supply based on last year’s production.
• Tianqi and SQM, together with U.S.-based Albermale (ALB -1.5%) and FMC Corp. (FMC -1.9%), dominate the global lithium market.