Germany and Canada Sign Pact to Secure Critical Minerals

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to expand cooperation on critical mineral supply chains during talks in Berlin on August 26, 2025. The two leaders signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to innovate and invest in the production of nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths, which are essential for defense technologies and the energy transition.

Signed at the Canadian Embassy by German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, the agreement aims to reduce Germany's reliance on Chinese imports following Beijing's export restrictions on rare earths in April. The partnership focuses on midstream technologies, including refining, smelting, and recycling, and establishes a Task Force on Critical Minerals Cooperation to encourage joint public and private investment.

Concurrent with the diplomatic agreement, several corporate deals were announced to integrate supply chains. These include a copper supply deal between Troilus Gold Corp. and Aurubis AG, a rare-earth oxide memorandum of understanding between Torngat Metals Ltd. and Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG, and an agreement between Rock Tech Lithium Inc. and Enertrag SE to connect a lithium conversion plant in Guben, Germany, to renewable energy sources.