Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the council was a pivotal moment for North America’s energy future
Author of the article:
The Canadian Press
Kelly Geraldine Malone
Published Nov 18, 2024 • Last updated 35 minutes ago • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Paul SancyaArticle content
WASHINGTON — As Donald Trump builds his new energy-focused administration, experts say it could open opportunities for Canada to expand the two countries’ long-standing partnership amid threats of widespread tariffs from the president-elect.
Trump announced Friday that he would create a National Energy Council to establish U.S. “energy dominance” around the world. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will be at the helm, while also heading the Interior Department.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
“If I were any western Canadian premier, I would probably be quite happy … and anticipating great possibilities for trade and co-operation,” said Eric Miller, president of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, a cross-border consultancy focused on trade, supply chains and government affairs.
Burgum’s new role will oversee a panel that crosses all executive branch agencies involved with energy, including permits, production, regulation and transportation.
“This Council will oversee the path to U.S. ENERGY DOMINANCE by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the Economy, and by focusing on INNOVATION over long-standing, but totally unnecessary, regulation,” Trump said in a statement.
The Republican president-elect said America’s energy dominance will make the world safer by allowing the U.S. to sell to European allies. Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith congratulated Burgum, saying it was a pivotal moment for North America’s energy future.
“Together, we’ll strengthen energy security, fuel economic growth, and showcase the power of cross-border collaboration,” Smith posted on X.
“Let’s get to work!”
Posthaste
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Congratulations, Governor @DougBurgum, on your appointment as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Council! This is a pivotal moment for North America’s energy future.
Alberta stands ready, as always, to be your trusted partner in delivering… https://t.co/LiZDN8TyIB
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) November 16, 2024
Miller said a key question after Friday’s announcement will be how it changes Canada’s strategy for engaging with the U.S.
On one hand, Ottawa has introduced draft regulations to cap emissions of greenhouse gases from the oil and gas sector. But on the other, Miller said, energy could prove a powerful tool to build partnerships with the Trump administration.
“I think the United States will need more Canadian energy regardless (of) what they do themselves,” said Heather Exner-Pirot, a special advisor on energy to the Business Council of Canada.
Burgum, a 68-year-old former software executive, will bring extensive knowledge of Canadian energy to the White House. He’s been governor of North Dakota, where agriculture and oil are the main industries, since 2016.
His state shares a nearly 500-kilometre border with Canada, south of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and Burgum worked with both provinces to vaccinate truck drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Burgum became governor during the turbulent protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, it’s been reported that he also prioritized engagement with Indigenous nations during his tenure.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Burgum’s appointment Friday, along with fossil fuel executive Chris Wright as energy secretary, was praised by industry but faced pushback from environmental groups.
Wright is “a champion of dirty fossil fuels,” said Jackie Wong, senior vice-president for climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group.
Wright has been a vocal critic of efforts to fight climate change.
Burgum was labelled “a longtime friend to fossil fuel interests” by David Seabrook, president of The Wilderness Society.
But Canadian observers say Burgum’s appointment at least shows a pragmatic hand amid other Trump choices for key positions that favoured loyalty to the president-elect over experience.
Trump’s designations for national security and border positions, among others, have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian policies.
His election has caused concern north of the border ahead of a review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, negotiated under the first Trump administration, in 2026.
Exner-Pirot said Burgum has made her less worried about Trump’s proposed tariffs targeting the Canadian energy sector.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
She also noted that Burgum believes in climate change and is interested in carbon capture. He set a goal for North Dakota to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“It’s clear that someone like Burgum would understand the implications on energy markets,” she said.
But Carlo Dade, director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, cautioned that Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra does not include Canada.
If the U.S. can rapidly ramp up energy production, it could lower the price of Canadian oil, he said, and cuts to the Biden administration investments in renewable energy research and implementation would also harm Canada’s industry.
However, Dade also said the promised ramp-up in production will likely happen slower than expected.
Recommended from Editorial
N.S. lobster fishery begins amid threat of Trump tariffs
How markets might be wrong about Donald Trump
“We’ve got to break our old habits about thinking about the Americans,” he said in an email.
“In the past, we would have seen opportunities in an announcement like this, but yesterday (isn’t) today and we’ve got to stop living and thinking in the past.”
With files from The Associated Press
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=673b464a50c54d12abf89075b015475b&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffinancialpost.com%2Fcommodities%2Fenergy%2Ftrumps-energy-council-opportunity-canada&c=11821645947249252406&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-11-17 23:57:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
