Members of Congress call out Canada for approving Neo Lithium sale to Chinese company

WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans wants to know more about why Canada didn't red-flag the pending Chinese takeover of a lithium producer with offices in Toronto.

WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans wants to know more about why Canada didn't red-flag the pending Chinese takeover of a lithium producer with offices in Toronto.

The three members of Congress are also asking the Biden administration to brief Congress on how Canada and the U.S. are working together to shore up critical mineral supply chains.

Rep. Michael Waltz, Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Lance Gooden say they are concerned about the fact that Ottawa allowed the sale of Neo Lithium Corp., which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, to a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

The federal government says Neo Lithium, while incorporated in Canada, is actually based in Argentina and that an initial review found no concerns.

But a letter from the trio to key Biden administration cabinet members, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, raises misgivings about whether the U.S. should be working with Canada on critical minerals.

The letter comes as the U.S. unveils its plans for revamping domestic and international supply chains — and as the two countries mark the anniversary of last year's landmark "road map" for bilateral co-operation.

"The acquisition by the Chinese Communist Party of a Canadian critical mineral mining company … is highly concerning," the three House members wrote in the letter, released Thursday.

It also raises "a litany of questions" about whether Canada and the U.S. fully understand the national security threat posed by China, the letter continues.

https://www.timescolonist.com/national-news/members-of-congress-call-out-canada-for-approving-neo-lithium-sale-to-chinese-company-5098416