China’s trade surplus with the United States widened to a record in August even as the country’s export growth slowed slightly, an outcome that could push President Donald Trump to turn up the heat on Beijing in their cantankerous trade dispute. SEE MORE Cobalt metal prices stabilized during the second half of August after inquiries resumed when market participants returned from the summer break, while sulfate prices continued to slide. SEE MORE China’s crude oil imports rose 6.5 percent in August from a month earlier to their highest since May, boosted by a rebound in demand from smaller, independent refiners, customs data showed on Saturday. SEE MORE Oil prices rose on Monday as U.S. drilling stalled and as investors anticipated lower supply once new U.S. sanctions against Iran’s crude exports kick in from November. SEE MORE Metal Bulletin’s battery-grade lithium carbonate index, ex-works China, fell to 82,747 yuan ($12,106) per tonne on Thursday September 6, down 3% from 85,298 yuan per tonne previously. Prices were assessed in a range of 80,000-86,000 yuan per tonne on the same basis, narrowing from 80,000-90,000 yuan per tonne a week ago. SEE MORE