Canada is “one of the best places in the world” for America to buy oil from, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said on Monday just days before more U.S.-forced labour tariffs are set to hit Canada — on top of sectoral ones now in place for more than a year.
During a panel at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region annual summit, Hoekstra was asked to clarify comments U.S. President Donald Trump has made that the U.S. doesn’t “need” Canadian oil.
“(When) the president says, ‘We don’t need your oil,’ we need oil but we don’t necessarily need it from Canada,” Hoekstra said.
However, he added that Canada was a preferred supplier for the U.S.
“We have found over the last couple of decades that one of the best places in the world to get oil from is Canada. It’s close by. The people that we have to work with in Alberta are great business partners. They’re good business people,” he said.
“Probably the region that can make the most compelling case for supplying more oil to the United States would be Saskatchewan and Alberta,” Hoekstra added.
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Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. does not need Canadian products, including oil and gas.
“We don’t need them to make our cars, and they make a lot of them. We don’t need their lumber because we have our own forests. We don’t need their oil and gas. We have more than anybody,” Trump said in January during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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On July 1, the U.S. trade representative said Washington would not renew the Canada-U.S. Mexico Free Trade Agreement (known as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the U.S.) in its current form.
“The president and his team have clearly indicated that they don’t see it in the best interest (of the U.S.) to extend USMCA. They’re continuing to have discussions, and we’ll see where they end up. But there has to be some framework of an agreement,” Hoekstra said.
U.S. trade representatives were “knocking down the issues with Mexico” in trade talks, but negotiations with Canada were “at a different level,” he added.
And why don’t more people here realize why? the US buys Canadian oil at a 10% – 15% discount over WTI paying the WCS (Western Cdn Select) Price. The US takes that oil and refines it in northern US states for domestic consumption. Meanwhile WTI (West Texas Intermediate) is shipped to Europe to sell at the Brent Price (10% – 15% higher than WTI). Seems like a great deal for the US. And Canada is so complicent in all of this while our ‘friends’ south of the border are laughing all the way to the Bank. If only Canadians would wake up, you know it really doesn’t have to be this way
I need more co ck to suck. How can I keep up with Carney and Ford???
Either show this jamoke the door or stop reporting every stupid thing he says – he’s an idiot.
Sad truth is Canada needs the USA as a market. China and India or even Europe will never replace that market.
Hey Ameruka, go FU*K yourselves is the only correct answer here but we all now cave in Carney won’t take a stand on this. Just like everything else he hasn’t done a thing about. More and more obvious daily that Con Carney is only concerned with lining his pockets via his U.S. interests. Treasonous little puke he is!
‘F*ck the USA!’ gets it. They, myself and Neil only speak for our stupid selves.
Wow Hoekstra, oil comes from Alberta! What an amazing insight. I’ll give you points for being an absolute goblin of a creature.
@Truth: That is the real question here. We have our own oil, and yet we buy it from the other side of planet and overpay for it. We’re always paid way too much.
I’m a good liberal sheep
So why have our governments been suppressing it. Making it impossible to get out to the world? Why have we been buying from Middle East?
Also make him aware that we are not as stupid as the Canadains who want to s**k h** off !!!
We just have to make him aware that we are not as stupid as the Americans who voted for this agenda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why does the media in Canada give this complete idiot the time of day?
Knuckle head.. again.
Sure. But starting now, we want full price for it.
We have other markets to supply now..
Sorry, not sorry..
It’s been reported that the US “Ambassador” said that Carney offered to double oil exports as part of a deal with the US but Trump said no. I thought ambassadors were supposed to be diplomatic and CIRCUMSPECT. And I thought negotiations between two countries were based upon TRUST.
He’d rather give his money to Isreal for nothing 🤣
bill
July 20, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Like most Canadians suffering from TDS, Neil thinks he speaks for all Canadians.
Neil Fiertel
July 20, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Trump hates Canada. Canadians like Americans with the exception of that individual. Trump is our nemesis as he hates our liberal tolerant and successful country.
Neither one of you speak for anyone but your own stupid selves.
Duh, we no need them oil
The US has broken the trade agreement with Canada that Trump had signed. They are not trustworthy, fair minded, nor do they follow the rule of law. Less reliable than a politician or a snake oil salesperson. Build the western pipeline now and let’s try to move our trade away from the US.
Like most Canadians suffering from TDS, Neil thinks he speaks for all Canadians.
Trump hates Canada. Canadians like Americans with the exception of that individual. Trump is our nemesis as he hates our liberal tolerant and successful country.