U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
U.S. and Israeli Military Leaders Hold Pentagon Talks as Tensions With Iran Escalate 
IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
Russian Drone Strike Kills Miners as Ukraine Pushes for Peace Talks Amid Energy Crisis 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Syria-Kurdish Ceasefire Marks Historic Step Toward National Unity 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Israel Intensifies Gaza Airstrikes Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
Australia has signed a new agreement with Canada to boost cooperation and trade in critical minerals, a move aimed at securing resilient global supply chains and reducing dependence on China. The deal was announced during the Group of Seven (G7) energy and environment ministers’ meeting in Toronto.
Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King and her Canadian counterpart Tim Hodgson formalized the joint declaration of intent to enhance collaboration on critical minerals. The initiative seeks to deepen bilateral ties between the two resource-rich nations and support sustainable economic growth through innovation and strategic trade partnerships.
King emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “I look forward to working with Canada to build resilient supply chains that support innovation and economic growth.” The partnership aligns with both nations’ efforts to strengthen supply chain security amid growing global demand for materials essential to clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Critical minerals—including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, and nickel—are vital for producing batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy infrastructure. However, G7 countries, except Japan, remain heavily reliant on China for sourcing and processing many of these resources. By joining forces, Australia and Canada aim to counterbalance China’s dominance and ensure more stable access to these key materials.
The agreement follows a series of high-level discussions between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who met in the United Kingdom in September to discuss strengthening cooperation in the critical minerals sector. It also comes shortly after Australia and the United States reached a similar deal to enhance supply chain resilience and secure future access to strategic minerals.
Through these partnerships, Australia continues to position itself as a global leader in the responsible development and supply of critical minerals crucial to the clean energy transition.
