<p>Understanding the macro-trade landscape of lithium minerals and countries’ competitiveness benefits related industries and policy-making. Based on the trade data of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, from 2003 to 2022 in the United Nations Trade Database, this paper uses complex network analysis to establish a directed weighted network model for lithium ore products trade, studies the development and change characteristics of the global lithium ore products trade network, analyzes the evolution of major trade communities, and identifies core trade hubs. The results show that lithium ore products volume grew steadily with more frequent cross-border exchanges. Worldwide, although the trade in lithium ore products is very active, it has obvious characteristics of trade concentration and inter-regional imbalance, which is highlighted in the gradual solidification of major trade partnerships and the obvious Matthew effect. Developed countries hold stronger competitiveness due to earlier trade starts and advanced tech, acting as hubs. However, many developing countries can also occupy a place in international trade by virtue of their innate resource endowments and transportation transfer capabilities. On the whole, the strong industrial demand has promoted the prosperity of lithium ore products trade, with developed countries leading in competitiveness and transfer capacity. For developing countries, the trade in lithium ore products is of profound practical significance for the sustainable development. The key to breaking the situation lies in giving full play to their own resource endowment advantages, developing science and technology to extend the industrial chain, formulating reasonable policies, and fully participating in international competition.</p>