Economy

Pierre Poilievre’s Energy Pitch to Donald Trump: A Promising Deal in the Making

AifrontierDecember 29, 2024February 6, 202505 mins

The Great Deal: Pierre Poilievre Makes Energy Pitch to Trump

In a bid to address the long-standing trade deficit between Canada and the United States, Conservative leadership hopeful Pierre Poilievre has made an energy pitch to Donald Trump. Poilievre, who is running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, argues that by increasing energy exports to the U.S., both countries can benefit economically.

The Trade Deficit

Canada’s trade deficit with the United States is a contentious issue that has been debated extensively in recent years. While some argue that it is a result of unfair trade practices, others contend that it is driven by the sale of commodities such as oil and natural gas that Canada has and the U.S. needs. Poilievre takes a different approach, arguing that the deficit is largely due to Canada’s lack of alternatives for exporting its resources.

Poilievre’s Plan

To address this issue, Poilievre proposes increasing energy exports to the United States by ramping up extraction of resources such as critical minerals. He argues that this not only benefits Canadian workers but also helps reduce reliance on supplies from unfriendly states like China. Poilievre has already held talks with conservative leaders in Alberta and Saskatchewan, asking them to be ready to expedite resource project approvals.

Addressing U.S. Concerns

Poilievre’s plan is not just focused on increasing energy exports but also addresses U.S. concerns about border trafficking and military spending. He argues that a Conservative government would invest the planned gains of his energy-exporting strategy in Arctic security, which aligns with Trump’s long-standing complaints about being shortchanged by allies.

A Win-Win Situation

Poilievre believes that this approach is a win-win situation for both countries. "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," he said.

The Keystone Pipeline

One of the key elements of Poilievre’s plan is to approve the long-running Keystone XL project, which would ferry some 800,000 barrels a day from Alberta’s oilsands to southeast Nebraska. Trump is in favour of Keystone XL, but there has been no sign yet that South Bow Corp., owner of the Keystone system, would want to revive it.

A Path Forward

While Poilievre’s plan may not be without its challenges, it offers a potential path forward for addressing the long-standing trade deficit between Canada and the United States. By increasing energy exports and investing in Arctic security, both countries can benefit economically while reducing reliance on supplies from unfriendly states.

What Do You Think?

Join the conversation by commenting below. Share your thoughts on Poilievre’s plan and its potential impact on Canada-U.S. trade relations.