1. U.S. and India Strike Interim Trade Deal
President Trump announced an interim trade deal with India that significantly impacts the critical minerals supply chain. In exchange for India halting all purchases of Russian oil, the U.S. has lowered reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 18%. This move is designed to integrate India further into the "allied supply chain" for midstream mineral processing, specifically targeting materials needed for defense and high-tech manufacturing.
Company Involved: https://www.india.gov.in
2. Stellantis Reverses EV Strategy with $26B Shift
In a massive pivot, Stellantis announced a "business reset" that includes the cancellation of several high-profile Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) products, including the Ram 1500 BEV. The company is reallocating $13 billion to U.S. manufacturing for internal combustion and hybrid models, citing a misalignment between current regulatory frameworks and consumer demand. This marks a critical shift in the demand forecast for battery-grade Nickel and Lithium.
Company Involved: https://www.stellantis.com
3. Canadian "Sovereign Fund" Mobilizes for Strategic Metals
Following a new poll showing 60% of Canadians favor restricting foreign investment in resources, the Canadian government has begun deploying capital from its $2 billion Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund. The fund is prioritizing domestic refining capacity for Gallium and Germanium to bypass overseas bottlenecks. Quantum Critical Metals and Nusano have entered an MOU to build a dedicated physics-based refining hub in Utah to process Canadian-mined feedstock.
Companies Involved: https://www.quantumcriticalmetals.com | https://nusano.com
4. G7 Allies Unlock $6.4 Billion for Mineral Production
The G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance has officially designated several Canadian projects for Graphite and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) as national security priorities. This designation allows the government to guarantee minimum prices and offtake agreements, effectively de-risking the projects for private investors and ensuring a steady supply for the U.S. defense industrial base.
Company Involved: https://www.canadanickel.com
444Critical is delivered daily from Trail, British Columbia — the operational center of the North-American critical-minerals corridor.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this summary is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.