Why weren't the additional 45 days used to verify this transaction?
You are essentially saying that Canadian–owned lithium in Argentina was not the right kind, as that lithium does not meet Canada's needs. However, a Chinese company decided to purchase the lithium for $1 billion. Of course, the purchase includes technological equipment, among other things. China is interested in that, but Canada is not.
I can understand that the lithium used varies from one location to another, but why is Canada giving a business owned by the Chinese state an opportunity to compete with it? Although the lithium is in Argentina, China will transport the mineral back home to process it. It will then sell us batteries. China actually already sells a lot of batteries to us. This is clearly a good move for China.
Why isn't that the case for Canada, given the national security in terms of supply and, as my colleague said, in terms of the relationship between Canada and the United States?