This month, Canada and the United States announced the
finalization of the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical
Minerals Collaboration.
The bilateral plan seeks to address concerns about reliance on
other countries, such as China, for the supply of minerals critical
to defence, aerospace, communications and other strategic
industries.
A list published by the U.S. in 2018 of 35 minerals viewed as
critical to U.S. economic and national security1 stated
that of these critical minerals, China is one of the top suppliers
of 20, and of those, the top supplier of 10. China is the
world’s largest producer of rare earth elements (REEs),
accounting for over 70% of annual global production.
