Ex-Alberta premier Jason Kenney says oil needs to be on the table in U.S. tariff war

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CALGARY — Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney is questioning why his province is taking oil and gas off the table in the high-stakes tariff war with the United States.

Kenney, in an interview, says Canada has the power to really put the squeeze on the U.S. through oil and gas exports.

And he says it makes no sense for Alberta to publicly remove that leverage from the bargaining table just as the war heats up, adding that it has weakened Canada’s negotiating position.

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His comments come as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has announced a string of counter-tariffs to battle punishing U.S. import fees on about $28 billion worth of Canadian goods.

Premier Danielle Smith has said oil and gas will not be part of the fight, and such a move would end up hurting Canadians and deprive the country of money it could use to buttress other sectors feeling the brunt of Trump’s tariffs.

Other premiers have said now is the time to fight U.S. President Donald Trump with every economic tool at their disposal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2026.

The Canadian Press