Canada Backs Port Expansions, Strikes Critical Minerals Deal With Germany

Germany agreement

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson signed the minerals agreement with his German counterpart in Berlin.

While not legally binding, the deal outlines plans to coordinate investment and appoint envoys to deepen cooperation in sectors ranging from electric vehicles to aerospace and defence.

“So there is a lot happening,” Carney added. “The number one focus of this government is to build that infrastructure, and particularly infrastructure that helps us deepen our partnership with our European partners, and particularly Germany.”

Germany is Canada’s largest European trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods reaching US$30.5 billion last year. For Berlin, diversifying supplies of energy and industrial inputs remains a priority after the country cut reliance on Russian natural gas following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ottawa and Berlin have previously signed memorandums of understanding on hydrogen and critical minerals, including 2022 agreements with Volkswagen (OTC Pink:VLKAF,FWB:VOW) and Mercedes-Benz Group (OTC Pink:MBGAF,ETR:MBG) to secure supplies of nickel, cobalt and lithium for electric vehicle batteries.

Canada’s economy has long depended on the US market, and the intensifying trade dispute with Washington has accelerated Ottawa’s drive to find new outlets.

The Prime Minister has framed Europe as Canada’s most reliable alternative, calling the country “the most European of non-European nations.”

His current trip marks his fourth visit to the continent since taking office in March, with stops in Ukraine, Poland, Germany and Latvia.

For Churchill, a new port would be a welcome transformation.

The northern Manitoba town’s existing facilities have largely been used for grain exports. Expanding its capacity to handle liquefied natural gas and minerals could give Canada another strategic outlet to Atlantic markets, bypassing congested southern corridors and reducing dependence on US ports.

US adds minerals to list

While Canada seeks to deepen European ties, Washington is reinforcing its own approach.

On Monday (August 25), the US Department of the Interior released a draft 2025 list of 54 critical minerals deemed vital to the economy and national security.

For the first time, copper, silver and potash were included, alongside silicon, rhenium and lead.

“President Trump has made clear that strengthening America’s economic and national security means securing the resources that fuel our way of life,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a recent press release.

“This draft list of critical minerals provides a clear, science-based roadmap to reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries, expand domestic production and unleash American innovation.”

The list, updated every three years under the Energy Act of 2020, guides federal investment, permitting, and recycling strategies. It originated with a 2017 executive order that directed agencies to assess US vulnerabilities in mineral supply chains.

The US Geological Survey tested more than 1,200 disruption scenarios for 84 minerals across 402 industries. The analysis flagged rare earths such as dysprosium, terbium and lutetium among the commodities posing the highest potential risks.