On October 3, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Cynthia Kierscht hosted Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada Shawn Tupper and representatives from the U.S. and Canadian governments for the first U.S.-Canada Critical Minerals Working Group meeting in Washington, D.C. They explored options for a joint action plan to improve critical mineral security and ensure the future competitiveness of U.S. and Canadian minerals industries. The Working Group will continue talks in the coming months to finalize an action plan as agreed by President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau in June 2019.