Cutting energy to U.S. in response to Trump tariffs is ‘absurd,’ says Bloc leader
By Canadian Press on January 21, 2025.
OTTAWA — The leader of the Bloc Québécois says Canada is playing with fire by suggesting it could cut oil or electricity exports to the United States if President Donald Trump makes good on his promise to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.
Yves-François Blanchet’s position runs counter to that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most premiers — including Quebec’s François Legault — who have said everything is on the table in negotiations with the Trump administration.
Blanchet told The Canadian Press in an interview Monday that Canada’s best response would be counter-tariffs and it would be “absurd” to cut energy exports.
He says that if the United States breaks the habit of importing energy from Canada and finds other sources, Canada will be at a disadvantage when the times eventually comes to renegotiate exports.
Blanchet’s position aligns with that of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has stood out among premiers by ruling out cutting off the U.S. from her province’s oil.
Trump told reporters on Monday he’s thinking about hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs on Feb. 1.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2025.
The Canadian Press
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It does appear that the 25% tariffs are coming. Re: oil and gas, Trump clearly stated that the USA has the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world, and it’s going to be, “Drill baby, drill.” How would this impact Canadian oil and gas exports to the USA?
Counter tariffs could also hit Canadians hard, financially. No matter what is said, and as Doug Ford said re: Trump, “He’s coming for us, no doubt about it.”
Talk about needing to distance ourselves from the USA……hard lessons are being learned.
Am I dreaming or did Hell freeze over? Alberta and Quebec agreeing on an important issue?
We will never win a trade/tariff war with the US and will only destroy our economy attempting to do so! The Liberals have pushed our country to be dependant on the US ( and China ) and cut trade options with many other countries by offending those leaders or refusing trade, such as requests for LNG, for one, which would have been a major export.
They have always wanted the US to defend the Arctic and protect our shores!
We are now paying the price!