Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Makes Energy Pitch to Former US President Donald Trump

In a bid to strengthen trade ties with the United States, Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has made an energy pitch to President Joe Biden. Poilievre, who hopes to become Canada’s next prime minister, argues that his country can provide the U.S. with underpriced energy resources while supporting American jobs.

Table of Contents

The Trade Surplus: A "Pathetic Story"

Poilievre claims that Canada’s trade surplus with the U.S. is driven by the sale of commodities such as oil and natural gas, which are abundant in his country but scarce in the U.S. He argues that this trade gap is a "pathetic story" because it highlights Canada’s failure to diversify its economy and exploit its resources more effectively.

Ramping Up Extraction: A Win-Win Scenario

Poilievre proposes increasing extraction of critical minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, and cobalt. He believes that this will enable both countries to reduce their dependence on unfriendly states like China and create jobs in the energy sector. By ramping up extraction, Canada can also become a more significant player in the global energy market.

Addressing U.S. Concerns

Poilievre has held talks with conservative leaders of hydrocarbon-rich provinces Alberta and Saskatchewan to expedite resource project approvals. He aims to address U.S. concerns about border trafficking and military spending, proposing that a Conservative government invest gains from his energy-exporting strategy in Arctic security.

A "Great Deal" for Both Countries?

Poilievre believes that his energy pitch offers a win-win scenario for both Canada and the United States. By providing underpriced energy resources to the U.S., Canada can strengthen its trade ties with its largest trading partner while supporting American jobs. In return, the U.S. can benefit from increased energy security and reduced reliance on foreign suppliers.

The Keystone Pipeline: A Long-Running Project

Poilievre has also suggested reviving the Keystone XL pipeline project, which was killed by President Biden in 2021. He argues that this would enable Canada to transport more oil to the U.S., reducing prices and supporting American jobs.

A Conservative Government’s Energy Strategy

Under a Conservative government, Poilievre promises to invest gains from his energy-exporting strategy in Arctic security. This will not only address U.S. concerns about border trafficking but also demonstrate Canada’s commitment to continental defense.

Conclusion

Pierre Poilievre’s energy pitch to President Biden offers a potential "great deal" for both countries. By providing underpriced energy resources to the U.S., Canada can strengthen its trade ties and support American jobs while reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers. However, the success of this proposal will depend on several factors, including the willingness of the U.S. government to approve resource project approvals and invest in Arctic security.

Sources

Bloomberg.com
Postmedia Network Inc.
The Canadian Press

Share Your Thoughts

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on Poilievre’s energy pitch. Do you think it offers a "great deal" for both Canada and the United States? What are the potential challenges and opportunities associated with this proposal?

Comments

You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an Account
Sign in
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful.

"What are you complaining about?’: Economists assail Trump’s Canada trade claims"
"Don’t count on Bank of Canada to bail out economy if tariffs imposed, economists say"
"History is foreshadowing the worst of times for markets"