Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggests that Canada could step in to fill the resource gap in the U.S. after China banned the export of critical minerals in response to U.S. semiconductor restrictions.
“This is another wake-up call. For too long, China has dominated the global market for critical minerals. Ontario has the resources to bridge the gap as the U.S. and our allies distance themselves from China,” Ford wrote on the
social media platform X on Dec. 3 in reaction to China’s export ban.
“We’re here to establish Fortress Can-Am to bring jobs back home and safeguard our mutual national security interests with our U.S. allies.”
Ford’s comments came after China’s announcement on Dec. 3 of stricter export controls on civilian-military dual-use materials, including gallium and germanium, destined for the United States.
According to the Critical Raw Materials Alliance, China is the largest producer of critical minerals, accounting for approximately 80 percent of global gallium production and 60 percent of germanium. These elements are crucial for the production of solar cells, satellite sensors, and military equipment.
Beijing’s export ban was a response to Washington’s
decision to impose additional restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors to curb its military modernization and reduce the threat to U.S. national security.
On Dec. 2, the U.S. Commerce Department included
140 technology firms in its list of Chinese companies subject to export controls. While most companies are based in China, the list also covers Chinese-owned businesses in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore that produce chipmaking equipment and software.
Last July, China had already
announced restrictions on gallium and germanium, in what was seen as retaliation for U.S. and Western chip sanctions. The new export ban focuses specifically on the United States.
China’s new export restrictions also increase control over graphite, which is used in lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle components. China is responsible for over
80 percent of the global graphite production.
Ford has urged Ottawa to strengthen the Canada-U.S. trade partnership by excluding Mexico from their trilateral agreement, citing concerns that Chinese goods, including electric vehicles, imported into Mexico are being redirected to Canada and the United States, bypassing their efforts to limit Chinese imports.
This call comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has
threatened 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, primarily due to border security concerns. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has
pledged to enhance border security following a meeting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida last month.
Trump has also
threatened tariffs on China if the regime does not take action to reduce the flow of illicit drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States via Mexico.
Dorothy Li contributed to this report.
