Canada and US seal deal on critical minerals collaboration

Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead.

Canada and the US announced Thursday they have finalized the Canada-US Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration, aimed to advance the countries' mutual interest in securing supply chains for the critical minerals needed for manufacturing sectors, communication technology, aerospace and defence, and clean technology.

Of the 35 minerals and metals the US deemed critical earlier this year, Canada was identified as a major import source for 13.

In June, US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered officials to develop a plan for U.S.-Canada collaboration on critical minerals.

The Action Plan will promote joint initiatives, including research and development cooperation, supply chain modelling and increased support for industry

Thurday's announcement delivers on the June 2019 commitment.

The Action Plan will guide cooperation in areas such as industry engagement; efforts to secure critical minerals supply chains for strategic industries and defence; improving information sharing on mineral resources and potential; and cooperation in multilateral fora and with other countries.

Washington has grown concerned about its dependence on imports of rare earth minerals from China after Beijing suggested using them as leverage in their trade war.

The Action Plan will promote joint initiatives, including research and development cooperation, supply chain modelling and increased support for industry.

Experts from both countries will convene in the coming weeks to advance joint initiatives to address shared mineral security concerns - helping ensure the continued economic growth and national security of both Canada and the U.S.