According to Mining News Pro - Of the 35 minerals and metals the US deemed critical earlier this year, Canada was identified as a major import source for 13.

In June, US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered officials to develop a plan for US-Canada collaboration on critical minerals.

Thurday’s announcement delivers on the June 2019 commitment.

The Action Plan will guide cooperation in areas such as industry engagement; efforts to secure critical minerals supply chains for strategic industries and defence; improving information sharing on mineral resources and potential; and cooperation in multilateral fora and with other countries.

Washington has grown concerned about its dependence on imports of rare earth minerals from China after Beijing suggested using them as leverage in their trade war.

The Action Plan will promote joint initiatives, including research and development cooperation, supply chain modelling and increased support for industry.

Experts from both countries will convene in the coming weeks to advance joint initiatives to address shared mineral security concerns — helping ensure the continued economic growth and national security of both Canada and the US.