The US and Taiwan have signed a trade and investment agreement aimed at reshoring semiconductor manufacturing and reinforcing US control over one of the world’s most strategic industries.

According to a Thursday (January 15) White House fact sheet, Taiwanese semiconductor and technology companies have committed to at least US$250 billion in new direct investment in the US, with an additional US$250 billion in credit guarantees to support expansion across the semiconductor ecosystem.

Both also plan to develop large industrial clusters and technology parks on US soil to anchor next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and advanced research.

Taiwan, for its part, will facilitate greater US investment into its own semiconductor, artificial intelligence, defense technology, telecommunications and biotechnology sectors to expand market access for American firms.

The trade framework also introduces a more structured tariff regime.

Reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese goods will be capped at 15 percent, while certain products such as generic pharmaceuticals, aircraft components and unavailable natural resources will face zero-percent reciprocal tariffs.

Existing Section 232 duties on Taiwanese auto parts, timber and related products will likewise be capped at 15 percent.

Semiconductors occupy a special place in the agreement. Taiwanese chipmakers that invest in new US production capacity will be granted significant flexibility to import chips during construction without incurring Section 232 duties.

In addition, companies building new facilities may import up to 2.5 times their planned US capacity duty-free during construction, and up to 1.5 times their new domestic output after projects are completed.

US officials framed the agreement as a decisive step toward reversing decades of offshoring that hollowed out domestic chipmaking capacity. The country’s share of global wafer fabrication has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to less than 10 percent in 2024, leaving American manufacturers heavily dependent on East Asian supply chains.

The deal comes just days after Trump formally imposed a 25 percent tariff on “certain advanced computing chips,” including NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) H200 and Advanced Micro Devices’ (NASDAQ:AMD) MI325X processors, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Chips imported to support the buildout of US technology supply chains, however, will be exempt.

The White House has also warned that broader semiconductor tariffs could follow. Trump has previously said companies that commit to domestic production would avoid harsher levies, including a floated 100 percent tariff discussed last year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Mining and energy companies feature prominently in the recently released OTCQX Best 50 2026 list, with seven resource-focused firms among the top 10 performers for this year’s edition.

The rankings evaluate companies based on a combination of one year total return and average daily dollar volume growth, offering investors insight into companies delivering strong performance across diverse sectors.

Below is a closer look at the seven mining companies that secured top 20 positions on the OTCQX Best 50 list for 2026, starting with the highest-ranked name on this year’s list.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

The US and Taiwan have signed a trade and investment agreement aimed at reshoring semiconductor manufacturing and reinforcing US control over one of the world’s most strategic industries.

According to a new White House fact sheet, Taiwanese semiconductor and technology companies have committed to at least US$250 billion in new direct investment in the US, with an additional US$250 billion in credit guarantees to support expansion across the semiconductor ecosystem.

Both also plan to develop large industrial clusters and technology parks on US soil to anchor next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and advanced research.

Taiwan, for its part, will facilitate greater US investment into its own semiconductor, AI, defense technology, telecommunications, and biotechnology sectors to expand market access for American firms.

The trade framework also introduces a more structured tariff regime. Reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese goods will be capped at 15 percent, while certain products such as generic pharmaceuticals, aircraft components, and unavailable natural resources will face zero-percent reciprocal tariffs.

Existing Section 232 duties on Taiwanese auto parts, timber, and related products will likewise be capped at 15 percent.

Semiconductors occupy a special place in the agreement. Taiwanese chipmakers that invest in new US production capacity will be granted significant flexibility to import chips during construction without incurring Section 232 duties.

In addition, companies building new facilities may import up to 2.5 times their planned US capacity duty-free during construction, and up to 1.5 times their new domestic output after projects are completed.

US officials framed the agreement as a decisive step toward reversing decades of offshoring that hollowed out domestic chipmaking capacity.

The country’s share of global wafer fabrication has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to less than 10 percent in 2024, leaving American manufacturers heavily dependent on East Asian supply chains.

The deal comes just days after Trump formally imposed a 25 percent tariff on “certain advanced computing chips,” including NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) H200 and AMD’s (NASDAQ:AMD) MI325X processors, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Chips imported to support the buildout of US technology supply chains, however, will be exempt.

The White House has also warned that broader semiconductor tariffs could follow. Trump has previously said companies that commit to domestic production would avoid harsher levies, including a floated 100 percent tariff discussed last year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Global sustainability strategies are entering a more politically complex phase in 2026 as governments and companies balance immediate economic pressures against long-term climate risks.

In a report published on Wednesday (January 14), S&P Global says that sustainability decision making in 2026 will be shaped by a growing tension between near-term priorities (energy security, affordability, geopolitical risk) and longer-term realities (climate adaptation, decarbonization, resource constraints).

The result is a move away from multilateral coordination toward a patchwork of national and regional responses.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Ontario moved this week to fast track Canada Nickel Company’s (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF) Crawford nickel project, positioning what’s being billed as the western world’s largest nickel development as a cornerstone of the province’s push to secure domestic critical minerals supply chains.

Crawford is expected to attract roughly C$5 billion in investment and unlock what Ontario describes as the world’s second largest nickel reserves, located within the Timmins Nickel District.

The project includes plans for a large open-pit mine, two ore processing plants, associated mining infrastructure and downstream facilities to produce nickel for the stainless steel and electric vehicle markets.

“As President Trump takes aim at our economy, Ontario is moving at lightning speed to open this 100 per cent Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines.

“In 2026, our government is going full tilt to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help end China’s critical mineral dominance,’ he added.

Canada Nickel estimates the project will generate up to 2,000 jobs during construction and support about 1,300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs once in operation. The company also projects the development could contribute more than C$70 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product over its lifetime, with C$67 billion attributed to Ontario.

The Ontario government said Crawford will advance under its newly launched “One Project, One Process” framework, making it only the second mining development to receive the designation since the program was introduced in October.

The streamlined approach is designed to consolidate permitting, reduce regulatory timelines and provide greater certainty for large-scale projects deemed strategically important.

The provincial government said the new framework aims to cut mine permitting timelines by up to 50 percent, addressing a system that has historically taken more than a decade to approve major developments. Now the Ministry of Energy and Mines will serve as a single one-stop-shop for provincial approvals and Indigenous consultation.

Local officials have welcomed the move.

“Fast-tracking the Crawford Nickel Project through the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework sends a strong message that Northern Ontario is open for business,” said George Pirie, the member of provincial parliament for Timmins.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) are collaborating to extract up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore under two non-binding memorandums of understanding.

The companies said on Wednesday (January 14) that mining and extraction will be performed at BHP’s Yandi and Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina operations, which sit approximately 80 kilometres away from each other.

“This is a clear example of productivity in action — unlocking new opportunities by making the most of our existing resources,” said Tim Day, BHP Western Australia’s iron ore asset president.

“Together we will extend the life of these operations, create additional value, and further support Western Australian jobs and local communities,” added Matthew Holcz, Rio Tinto’s iron ore chief executive.

Under the agreement, BHP will also supply its Yandi Lower Channel deposit wet iron ore to Rio Tinto for processing at existing wet plants under agreed-upon commercial terms.

BHP’s Yandi is a part of an 85/15 joint venture between BHP, Mitsui & Co. (TSE:8031,OTCPL:MITSF) and Itochu (TSE:8001,OTCPL:ITOCF). It produced 257 million tonnes of iron ore in 2023, which BHP says is “enough to make steel for approximately 2,980 Sydney Harbour Bridges.”

The companies will also collaborate on the development of Rio Tinto’s Wunbye deposit, located at the Yandicoogina operation. Yandicoogina is one of Rio Tinto’s highest-producing iron ore mines, and according to the company was among the first to operate a fleet of autonomous haul trucks and drills.

“The operation produces Hamersley Iron Yandi fines — a product with low impurities that delivers a high-iron sinter — used by customers across East Asia and Southern China in their steelmaking process,” Rio Tinto states on its website.

For this partnership, BHP and Rio Tinto will progress a conceptual study, then an order of magnitude study.

Regulatory and joint venture approvals, along with engagement with traditional owners, will be required for any implementation. Subject to a final investment decision, first ore from both deposits is anticipated early next decade.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP,OTCPL:BHPLF) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO,OTCPL:RTPPF) are collaborating to extract up to 200 million tonnes of iron ore under two non-binding Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

Mining and extraction will be performed at BHP’s Yandi and Rio’s Yandicoogina operations, which sit approximately 80 kilometres away from each other.

“This is a clear example of productivity in action – unlocking new opportunities by making the most of our existing resources,” said Tim Day, BHP WA Iron Ore Asset president.

“Together we will extend the life of these operations, create additional value, and further support Western Australian jobs and local communities,” added Matthew Holcz, Rio’s Iron Ore chief executive.

Under the MOU, BHP will also supply its Yandi Lower Channel Deposit wet iron ore to Rio Tinto for processing at its existing wet plants under agreed commercial terms.

The companies will also collaborate on the development of Rio Tinto’s Wunbye deposit, which sits in the Yandicoogina project.

BHP’s Yandi is a part of an 85:15 joint venture between BHP, and Mitsui (OTC Pink:MITSF) and Itochu (TSE:8001).

It holds a production record of 257 million tonnes of iron ore in 2023, which was described by BHP as “enough to make steel for approximately 2,980 Sydney Harbour Bridges.”

Meanwhile, Yandicoogina is regarded as one of Rio’s highest-producing iron ore mines, and among the first to operate a fleet of autonomous haul trucks and drills.

“The operation produces Hamersley Iron Yandi (HIY) fines—a product with low impurities that delivers a high-iron sinter—used by customers across East Asia and Southern China in their steelmaking process,” Rio wrote on its website.

For this partnership, BHP and Rio decided to progress a conceptual study, then an order of magnitude study.

Regulatory and joint venture approvals, along with engagement with traditional owners, will be required for any potential implementation.

Subject to a final investment decision, first ore from both deposits is anticipated early next decade.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (January 16) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin price performance, January 16, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,311.49, down by 2.0 percent over the last 24 hours.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Ontario has moved to fast-track Canada Nickel Company’s (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF,OTCQX:CNIKF) Crawford Nickel Project, positioning what is billed as the Western world’s largest nickel development as a cornerstone of the province’s push to secure domestic critical minerals supply chains.

Crawford is expected to attract roughly US$5 billion in investment and unlock what Ontario describes as the world’s second-largest nickel reserves, within the Timmins Nickel District.

The project includes plans for a large open-pit mine, two ore processing plants, associated mining infrastructure, and downstream facilities to produce nickel for stainless steel and electric vehicle markets.

“As President Trump takes aim at our economy, Ontario is moving at lightning speed to open this 100 per cent Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines.

“In 2026, our government is going full tilt to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help end China’s critical mineral dominance.”

Canada Nickel estimates the project will generate up to 2,000 jobs during construction and support about 1,300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs once in operation.

The company also projects the development could contribute more than US$70 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product over its lifetime, with US$67 billion attributed to Ontario.

The Ontario government said the Crawford project will advance under its newly launched “One Project, One Process” framework, making it only the second mining development to receive the designation since the program was introduced in October.

The streamlined approach is designed to consolidate permitting, reduce regulatory timelines, and provide greater certainty for large-scale projects deemed strategically important.

The provincial government said the new framework aims to cut mine permitting timelines by up to 50 percent, addressing a system that has historically taken more than a decade to approve major developments.

Under the model, the Ministry of Energy and Mines shall serve as a single one-stop-shop for provincial approvals and Indigenous consultation.

Local officials welcomed the move. “Fast-tracking the Crawford Nickel Project through the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework sends a strong message that Northern Ontario is open for business,” said George Pirie, the member of provincial parliament for Timmins.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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