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Dominic LeBlanc Photographer: Stephania Corpi/Bloomberg
The office of Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stressed the importance of “maintaining the highly integrated North American energy market” ahead of talks in Washington with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
LeBlanc and Janice Charette, Canada’s chief negotiator to the US, are scheduled to meet Greer on Tuesday before returning to Ottawa the same day. The trip comes as pressure builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to show Canada is still engaged with the US on trade.
US and Mexican negotiators began formal talks last week on potential changes to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but no date has been set for Canada’s bilateral talks with Washington. Greer faces a Monday deadline to notify Congress of US intentions for the agreement, one month before the July 1 review date.
On Monday, LeBlanc and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson met with leaders from Canada’s oil and gas sector, according to a government readout. Discussions centered on preserving the tightly linked energy market “that supports jobs, economic growth and energy security on both sides of the border.”
Companies that participated included Imperial Oil Ltd., Irving Oil Corp., TC Energy Corp., Enbridge Inc. and South Bow Corp. About 90% of Canada’s crude exports went to the US last year, even after the expansion of a west-coast pipeline in 2024 enabled a surge in shipments to China. Canada is seeking to grow energy exports to Asia and has pledged support for Alberta’s proposal for a new conduit to British Columbia tidewater.
Despite trade tensions that have slowed some cross-border shipments, Canadian energy firms still see opportunity in the US. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump authorized the proposed Bridger pipeline expansion, which would move some 550,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to Wyoming.
Read More: Carney Says Canadian Trade Can Help Make America Great Again
“Both ministers emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between governments and industries ahead of the joint review,” the readout said.
Firms pointed to opportunities for Canada and the US to build on their longstanding energy partnership to support competitiveness across North America, the readout said. They also outlined priorities for the USMCA review, including maintaining preferential access for Canadian energy, modernizing rules to reduce administrative burdens, improving border efficiency and ensuring regulatory certainty for businesses.
Last week, Carney urged closer cooperation with the Trump administration on aluminum, auto manufacturing and critical minerals. “Canada Strong will help make America great again,” he told the Economic Club of New York, adding that Canada has made “specific practical proposals” to Washington.
(Adds companies that participated in roundtable in the fifth paragraph.)
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