NextFin news, On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., to discuss the potential revival of the Keystone XL pipeline project and broader cooperation on energy, steel, and aluminum sectors.
According to a government source briefed on the discussions, President Trump was "very receptive" to Carney's proposal, and both leaders instructed their teams to continue talks in the coming days. The meeting focused on linking energy cooperation with progress on Canada's steel and aluminum industries, sectors currently affected by U.S. tariffs.
The Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport Alberta crude oil to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast, was originally halted by the Obama administration, briefly revived during Trump's first presidency, and then canceled again under President Joe Biden. Trump had expressed interest in reviving the project via social media in February 2025.
South Bow Corp., the current owner of the Keystone system, stated it was not involved in the ongoing Canada-U.S. discussions but expressed support for efforts to increase Canadian crude oil transportation. The company emphasized exploring opportunities leveraging its existing pipeline corridor.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, currently touring Quebec and Ontario to promote a new West Coast pipeline, welcomed Carney's pitch. Speaking at a conference in Toronto on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Smith said the discussions about steel, aluminum, and energy cooperation could help alleviate tariff-related challenges. She urged a shift from threatening to reduce energy sales to the U.S. toward promising increased energy exports as a pathway to resolving trade issues.
Despite the positive tone of the meeting, Carney returned to Ottawa on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, without a formal agreement to lift U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. The talks, however, signal ongoing efforts to negotiate a comprehensive deal addressing multiple sectors.
This development comes amid continuing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, with tariffs on steel and aluminum impacting Canadian industries. The Canadian government is seeking to leverage energy cooperation, including the Keystone XL pipeline, as part of a broader strategy to improve bilateral trade relations.
The Canadian Press and The Albertan provided detailed coverage of the meeting and subsequent reactions from Canadian officials.
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