Mr Ellison said China imposed trade bans on Australian commodities, including coal and wine, but didn’t dare lean on the US in the same way. Last year the Biden administration banned the sale of advanced chips to China essential for high-end technology applications. Albemarle said there had been no meaningful engagement with the Liontown board since its spurned $5.5 billion takeover bid for pre-production lithium miner Liontown Resources. But Charlotte-headquartered Albemarle did highlight a change in approach securing downstream assets, suggesting it would look to take up stakes in early stage projects. Mr Masters said the strategy was for Albemarle…