Could trade war have a silver lining?

As the second-to-last day of his presidency, United Steelworkers Local 6166 president Warren Luky reflects on the current state of the mining industry in Thompson, Manitoba. Earlier this year, Vale Base Metals secured a deal with the federal government to invest up to $280 million in the Thompson Mine Complex, including the hiring of more workers and a doubling of mining output over the next five years.

Despite the bitter collapse in trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S., the city remains optimistic about the economic future, with sectors such as Prairie oil, uranium, wheat, canola, potash, nickel, and other "critical minerals" seeing increased demand and spotlight. Canada's critical minerals, essential for green-energy technology and defense arsenals, are being promoted as crucial to the country's security and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the Port of Churchill in Hudson Bay is undergoing major enhancements to become a key shipping hub for minerals like nickel, zinc, and potash. While miners are cautious, they acknowledge the geopolitical shifts and credit President Trump for bringing geopolitics to the forefront.