Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, has made a bold pitch to Donald Trump to boost energy exports and strengthen the two countries’ trade relationship. In an effort to alleviate U.S. trade deficits with Canada, Poilievre argues that the sale of Canadian energy resources is driven by market demand and supports American jobs.
The Pathetic Story of Canada’s Trade Surplus
Poilieve explains that Canada has few alternatives for exporting its oil and natural gas resources, leading to a discounted price in the U.S. market. This situation creates a "pathetic story" where Canada is essentially "handing over our resources, stupidly." As prime minister, Poilievre vows to stop this "stupidity" by developing alternative energy markets and investing in critical minerals that can benefit both countries.
Appealing to Trump’s Mercantilist Views
Poilieve acknowledges that the U.S. has legitimate concerns about trade deficits with China and Mexico, which he describes as a "mercantilist point of view." However, he argues that the trade gap with Canada is different because it’s driven by market demand for Canadian commodities. He urges Trump to approve the Keystone pipeline project, which would enable the transportation of 800,000 barrels per day from Alberta’s oilsands to the U.S.
Consequences of Blocking Canadian Energy Exports
Poilievre warns that if Trump were to block Canadian energy exports, it would lead to job losses at refineries in the United States and higher prices for consumers. Instead, he suggests ramping up extraction of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can benefit both countries while reducing reliance on supplies from unfriendly states like China.
Addressing U.S. Concerns
Poilievre has held talks with conservative leaders in Alberta and Saskatchewan to expedite resource project approvals. He also plans to address U.S. concerns about border trafficking and military spending by investing the gains of his energy-exporting strategy in Arctic security.
A Win-Win Situation
Poilievre believes that a Conservative government under his leadership can fund a more robust military and continental defense through increased trade with the United States. He sees this as a "great deal" where both countries can benefit from expanded energy exports, leading to greater economic prosperity and security.
A Message to Trump
As Poilievre puts it, "I can fund a more robust military and continental defence if I have more free trade with the greatest economy the world has ever seen—and we can both win." His pitch to Trump is clear: work together to boost energy exports and strengthen their trade relationship for mutual benefit.
