cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/4231810

Canada’s new government has a mandate to strengthen and diversify our international relationships. In the face of a shifting global trade landscape, that mandate has only increased in importance. To that end, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, travelled to Germany to strengthen our trade and commercial ties and build new partnerships in the rapidly growing market for critical minerals.

Earlier this year at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Prime Minister Carney introduced the Critical Minerals Production Alliance – a Canada-led initiative that leverages trusted international partnerships to enhance critical mineral supply chains for collective defence and advanced technology.

Today, in Berlin, Canada and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to deepen co-operation to secure critical mineral supply chains, increase collaboration on research and development, and co-fund new critical mineral projects that contribute to a range of industries – from electric vehicle manufacturing to defence and aerospace.

With vast energy and natural resources, Canada has what the world needs to meet the demands of the future. By partnering with Germany, the largest economy in Europe, Canada will boost domestic investment and create higher-paying jobs, while accelerating the clean energy transition and strengthening transatlantic security.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney and German Chancellor Merz also discussed Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine – underlining that no decisions about Ukraine should be taken without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe should be taken without Europe. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine following this weekend’s meetings in Kyiv with President Zelenskyy, outlining Canada’s recent allocation of $2 billion in military assistance. He echoed that credible security guarantees will be instrumental in creating the conditions for durable, lasting peace.