Canada signed a critical minerals partnership with Germany on Tuesday that encourages the joint public financing of natural resources projects as Ottawa works to boost development and exports to Europe…Prime Minister Mark Carney said for too long, key Canadian minerals such as nickel and cobalt have gone underdeveloped while China and Russia dominate the global market. Critical minerals are key for emerging energy and defence technology…He said Germany has become a leader in Europe as it works to diversify away from China and Russia…"Canada can play a role in accelerating that diversification for Germany, and for Europe," Carney said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz…"These issues are only going to become more important. There's likely to be a fourfold increase in the demand for critical minerals and minerals over the course of the next decade."…Afterward, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told reporters that Canada is positioned to develop "mine-to-magnets" supply chains that lend Ottawa an advantage in deepening trade ties with countries like Germany.

The little BYD Dolphin Surf city car could be the first electric vehicle to sell big numbers in Europe because of its price and qualities, rather than tax-payer funded inducements or government mandates…And the advent of cheap but highly-capable little city cars might just rescue the European Union’s flawed attempt to force its citizens into electric cars they don’t want and can’t afford. So far, the majority of EVs haven’t excited private buyers or induced the start of a mass market because of high prices, poor charging networks and inhibited long-range autoroute performance. EU EV sales targets look challenging without the emergence of a mass market…Nobody had to be induced to buy a modern mobile phone. But electric car sales in Europe have been forced on buyers to fulfill an EU mandate to gradually phase out internal combustion engines until only new EVs could be sold in 2035…EU regulations to allow heavier, more expensive EVs also skewed the market away from affordable, lighter sedans and SUVs. Not so in China, where manufacturers have developed a range of cheap and cheerful little EV runabouts which can be bought for as little as $7,000 before tax. These are now finding their way to Europe with uprated safety and regulatory changes, led by the Dacia Spring, Leapmotor TO3, and now the BYD Dolphin Surf, with prices starting at around €18,000 ($21,000) and averaging around €21,000 ($24,500).