Canada could potentially use oil and gas exports as a lever in negotiations if U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports escalate, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told a Toronto business audience on Wednesday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's office confirms she has briefed Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney on President Donald Trump’s tariffs days ahead of Sunday's leadership vote this week.

Canada is vowing to impose tariffs on C$155 billion worth of U.S. imports but has so far not suggested it would reduce exports of commodities to the United States. Canada exports about 4 million barrels per day of oil to the United States, approximately 90% of its total crude exports.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says the federal government's goal is to protect jobs, including in the auto, steel, aluminum and other sectors as the trade war between Canada and the U.S. continues. She is calling on Canadians to "do their part" by buying Canadian products and vacationing in Canada or elsewhere in the world. (Mar. 5, 2025)

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said she doesn't believe the relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom has changed after comments made by the British prime minister during a visit to the White House.

One day after he had what he describes as a "colourful call" with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to insist the Trump administration's tariffs on Canada must be dropped. Speaking at an unrelated announcement in Ottawa, Trudeau says Canada will stand firm as long as the "unjustified" tariffs remain in place.

Unlike Freeland and Gould, Carney and fellow leadership candidate Frank Baylis are not elected members of Parliament and do not attend national caucus meetings.

Trump has said the tariffs are to force the two nations to step up their fight against fentanyl trafficking and stop illegal immigration.