BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned Tuesday that their nations would improve collaboration on protection and important minerals.
“We’re deepening our bilateral cooperation, and we’re doing so with nice gratitude and deep conviction,” Merz mentioned throughout a joint press convention with Carney in Berlin. “Canada and Germany have an awesome deal in widespread.”
The additional cooperation comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs hit each nations arduous, whereas in addition they goal to shift their industries away from reliance on Russia and China.
The nations’ financial system ministers, wanting towards that objective, had been set to signal an settlement on essential minerals, which was seen by POLITICO.
The accord will deal with the event of lithium, uncommon earth parts, copper tungsten, gallium, germanium and nickel to counter China’s monopolistic management of supplies wanted to energy every little thing from army gear and electrical autos to quantum computing.
“One of many large vulnerabilities that’s been uncovered by the Ukraine warfare, it was uncovered by Covid, it’s been uncovered by the altering world commerce dynamics, [is] our vulnerabilities in provide chains together with in essential metals and minerals,” mentioned Carney. “Canada can play a task in accelerating that diversification for Germany and for Europe.”
Identical to Brussels, Berlin is eager to slash its dependence on China for the so-called essential minerals wanted to energy the bloc’s inexperienced, digital and protection ambitions. Ottawa is a lovely companion to attain that — Canada has some 200 mines extracting quite a lot of minerals and metals, a lot of that are categorised as essential uncooked supplies.
Numerous Canadian Cupboard members, together with Protection Minister David McGuinty, Trade Minister Mélanie Joly and Power Minister Tim Hodgson traveled alongside Carney to Berlin.
Carney introduced he would go to Thyssenkrupp Marine Techniques within the northern German metropolis of Kiel later Tuesday, alongside Joly and McGuinty, whereas Hodgson was set to ship a serious speech to CEOs from the vitality, manufacturing and protection industries.
“We’re within the technique of renewing our submarine fleet,” Carney mentioned, including that Thyssenkrupp Marine Techniques was one of many two finalists to tackle the challenge.
Carney and Merz additionally mentioned they mentioned safety ensures for Ukraine, however didn’t present concrete particulars.
Camille Gijs contributed to this report from Brussels.