Chinese want to keep component cost down, the battery is a large...

Chinese want to keep component cost down, the battery is a large cost item, and as they are a big consumer of lithium, they control the prices

They didn't prevent spod prices going to $US8000t so I'm far from convinced they have much control at all and if so it would be temporary. Just as likely the supply and demand in a relatively new market getting out of kilter IMO.
Hybrids and plug in hybrids use much smaller batteries and they make up a reasonable % in the EV space currently. Perhaps some analysts have simply misjudged the demand requirements at this point in time.

Controlling prices achieves very little as it just creates supply problems down the track.
We have PLS putting more spod into the market , LTR about to do likewise and it takes a while for it to find a home without affecting prices. Its all got to be used by refiners who themselves rely on battery manufacturers who themselvs rely on EV manufacturers who rely on customer uptake. Its not something thats easy to orchestrate let alone control, then you have tarrifs to add to the mix.

There is the potential for more boom and busts in this sector as it finds its feet.

Cheers Whisky