Poilievre won’t say if he’ll back tariffs on U.S.-bound oil to combat Trump’s 25% threat
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s stance on the potential imposition of export tariffs or restrictions on oil and gas bound for the United States in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariff regime remains unclear. During a press conference in Vancouver, Poilievre avoided directly addressing whether he supported Canada’s preparedness to use all economic tools necessary for retaliation, or if he stood behind Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s position.
Poilievre attributed Canada’s vulnerability to Trump’s tariff threats to the Liberal government’s hindrance of energy infrastructure development, such as blocking pipelines and LNG plants. He emphasized that as prime minister, he would have approved projects like Northern Gateway and Energy East, as well as expedited approvals for LNG plants, to diversify Canada’s export options.
The Council of the Federation, consisting of Canada’s premiers, convened with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to strategize a response to potential tariffs from the U.S. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, along with B.C. Premier David Eby, participated virtually in the meeting, with Smith being the sole premier to withhold support for the joint communique at the summit.
In a social media post, Smith expressed reservations about the Canadian plan to confront Trump due to ongoing discussions of cutting off energy supply to the U.S. and imposing export tariffs on Alberta energy. She reiterated that Alberta would not fully endorse the federal government’s approach until these threats ceased.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford admonished Smith for prioritizing provincial interests over national unity, asserting that the country’s welfare should take precedence. Trudeau echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in the face of external threats.
Trudeau announced the formation of a Canada-U.S. relations council to navigate potential tariffs, comprising representatives from various sectors. He challenged Poilievre to either align with Canadian unity or side with individuals like Smith, Kevin O’Leary, and Trump.
Poilievre outlined his energy strategy, which involved repealing environmental legislation and facilitating private-sector investments to expand Canada’s energy market. He referenced the shelving of projects like Energy East and Northern Gateway due to regulatory hurdles and changing market conditions.
The rewritten content seamlessly integrates into a WordPress platform, retaining the original HTML tags, headings, and key points while offering a fresh perspective on the topic.
