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Weaponizing oil against U.S. will go 'badly'

Canada September 03, 2026 03:03 AM
Weaponizing oil against U.S. will go 'badly'

Amid the debate over how or whether Canada should escalate its trade dispute with the United States, there's been a push from some Canadian leaders to consider using energy exports as leverage. The premiers of both Alberta and Saskatchewan have warned against the idea of an oil export tax or restrictions on Canadian oil exports, and have faced accusations of being out of step with a so-called "Team Canada" approach. In this interview, Rob Breakenridge is joined by Heather Exner-Pirot of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, who lays out the risks and downside of weaponizing Canada's energy exports. Exner-Pirot argues that any attempt to inflict economic pain on the U.S. could backfire on Canada, hurting domestic oil producers, disrupting supply chains, and inviting further American retaliation. Such a move could also undermine Canada's aspirations to be seen globally as a stable and reliable supplier of energy.