Rare Earths and the Rules-Based Order: Canada’s Quiet Leverage in a Fracturing World

In contrast to our 'late to the game' approach to LNG exports, Canada should act swiftly to attract investment in rare earth exploration and mining.

We should immediately begin trade talks with Europe, India, Japan, and South Korea, and include a defence-cooperation agreement as part of those talks.

Given the deep importance of critical minerals to the defence industry, it would be wise to connect the two. As a reliable nation with significant critical mineral reserves, Canada has a strategic advantage, and we must use it. We can trade preferential exploration rights and ownership opportunities in exchange for long-term commitments from our allies to co-develop advanced weaponry. Canada could use this as part of our pitch to join the Global Combat Air Programme, for example. We could offer South Korean and German companies preferential arrangements in exchange for those countries building military production facilities in Canada.