New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh called on Monday for Canada to halt critical mineral exports to the US in response to former US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
“Let’s stop the flow of those critical minerals into the States. There’s no quicker way to get Donald Trump to back away from tariffs,” Singh told reporters in Ottawa.
The US is Canada’s largest critical mineral export market, receiving 59% of Canadian mineral exports in 2023, according to Natural Resources Canada data. The bilateral critical minerals trade was valued at $38.2 billion that year, down 10% from 2022, with Canadian exports to the US accounting for $29.8 billion.
Singh dismissed diplomatic approaches, including visits to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Canada currently sources 40% of its critical mineral imports from the US.
Economic experts anticipate retaliatory measures. “Canada’s probably going to retaliate because they need to be seen to be doing something,” said Moshe Lander, an economist at Concordia University.
The Canadian government’s 2024 fall economic statement emphasized reciprocity in international trade policy, indicating preparation for potential trade disputes.
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