Ontario threatened to cut off U.S. critical minerals supply. Sudbury isn’t panicking

Sudbury, Ontario, the province's mining capital, remains unfazed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford's threat to cut off the flow of critical minerals to the United States in response to recent tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Despite the potential devastation such a move could bring to local industries, the city's mayor, Paul Lefebvre, remains confident that the U.S. would not want to impose tariffs on Sudbury due to its reliance on the city's nickel and copper exports.

These two key exports are not subject to tariffs, Lefebvre said, and therefore, the city would benefit from the U.S. needing its nickel to continue. Quebec-based nickel mining giant Glencore Canada is currently expanding its Craig Mine in Sudbury, reinforcing the city's position as a global supplier of high-class nickel. Ontario's 125,364 tonnes of nickel concentrate exports in 2024, valued at $2.4 billion, saw 43 per cent go to the United States, followed by 15 per cent to the Netherlands.

Sudbury's mayor supports Premier Ford's strategy to leverage critical minerals to rid the country of tariffs, but acknowledges the uncertainty created by the trade war has deterred investments, including a Sudbury delegation's trip to Japan and South Korea. Sudbury's mayor, however, emphasized that the community remains focused on attracting investment and strengthening international relationships, stating that "it's business as usual" for the municipality.