The elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, plans to impose tariffs on imports, but it is suggested that he could make exceptions for specific sectors, such as Canadian oil and gas, according to statements by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. Canada is the largest external energy supplier to the United States, with transactions amounting to around $160 billion in 2022, primarily in crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas.
"We import a lot of energy from Canada. Trump has criticized NATO members, including Canada, who do not meet the 2 percent GDP defense spending. If I were Canada, I would look for ways to ease the relationship with the United States," Ross mentioned in an interview. Although Trump has praised the word "tariff" as the most beautiful in the dictionary and has promised to boost U.S. manufacturing with his protectionist strategy, Ross expressed skepticism about imposing tariffs on Canadian energy, as he believes it would only increase costs without generating jobs in the U.S.
Wilbur Ross, former Secretary of Commerce from 2017 to 2021 during Trump’s administration, was key in imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum products from China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Additionally, he participated in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, modifying auto manufacturing rules, among other important aspects.
During his interview with CBC, Ross emphasized the need for Western countries to increase their defense budgets in light of a world he considers more dangerous today. "Canada must understand that the United States has stronger principles and policies than before," Ross pointed out.
