Chris Varcoe

A painful widening of discounts on Canadian crude could soon return, as it's anticipated all Alberta exports will be hit with U.S. tariffs.

A painful widening of discounts on Canadian crude could soon return, as it's anticipated all Alberta exports will be hit with U.S. tariffs.

Canada would be playing a risky game if it imposes export taxes or restricts energy to the U.S. as part of a trade dispute, experts say.

Chris Varcoe: It might sound enticing to use Canada's biggest export item as leverage, but experts say it would be playing a risky game

The disagreement puts the issue of Canada restricting energy to the United States — or adding an export levy to oil, gas and electricity — squarely in the spotlight

'This is a strategic pipeline. This is why you have infrastructure like this' Article content

“In the area of energy and natural resources, the U.S. needs Canada and Canada needs the USA,” says Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson

“In the area of energy and natural resources, the U.S. needs Canada and Canada needs the USA,” says Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson

Varcoe: Trump told reporters that he was thinking of putting a 25 per cent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico, starting next month.

With more than 90 per cent of Canadian energy exports heading to the U.S., industry leaders say it’s time to have candid conversations.