Trump says the US doesn’t need Canada. But it’s the source of key minerals for the military
Trump himself has acknowledged the US need for Canadian aluminum – and has largely exempted metals from new tariffs
TL;DR
- Canada is the US's largest foreign supplier of minerals, providing $47 billion worth annually.
- The US military uses Canadian aluminum for aircraft, shells, and ship hulls.
- Canada supplies about half of the US's nickel, vital for jet engines and armor plating.
- British Columbia has threatened to ban exports of germanium, used in military equipment and solar panels.
- Canada is a source of uranium for US nuclear reactors and nearly 90% of the potash used for US fertilizer.
- The US has limited domestic production of these critical metals and rebuilding these industries is costly and time-consuming.
- China, the world's largest producer of many critical metals, is also a rival and has restricted exports to the US.
- Canada's potential to cut off metal supplies is a significant leverage point in trade negotiations, as highlighted by China's past actions with rare earths.