Of the 35 minerals the U.S. deems critical to its economic and national security, China was the top supplier for 13 of them in 2018 and the top producer for nearly 20. Senior officials from both sides of the border are now drafting a “joint action plan” to find other ways of obtaining the material, such as through strategic investments in North American mining facilities, according to documents obtained by The Globe and Mail. (Globe and Mail)

Talking point: The minerals, which include cobalt and lithium, are used in high-tech products, such as smartphones and medical devices, and military equipment like fighter jets. The plan could be an opportunity for U.S. investment in Canada’s mining sector, according to the documents. Canada was already the top supplier for six of the materials on the U.S. list, including aluminum, uranium and indium. Whichever party forms government after Canada’s October federal election will be presented with the full plan.