U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a revival of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline project amid ongoing trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. to prevent additional U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. Trump made the declaration on his Truth Social platform, mentioning that the Keystone XL Pipeline, previously abandoned by President Biden, could potentially be resurrected. He also shared an AI-generated image depicting him lifting a large pipeline labeled “KEYSTONE” from a grave, with American flags in the background and a headstone reading “Buried by Biden.”
Although no official statement has been released by Canada regarding Trump’s claim, Washington revealed that it would be pausing the implementation of planned 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods for three days to facilitate further negotiations.
The history of the Keystone XL expansion dates back to its initial proposal in July 2008, during the tenure of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President George W. Bush. The project faced opposition over the years, with various milestones such as approvals, route changes, and legal challenges. Despite these hurdles, Trump’s administration showed support for the project, leading to its eventual termination under President Biden’s executive order in January 2021.
In a recent development, South Bow, a Canadian company affiliated with the Keystone XL initiative, has partnered with Bridger Pipeline, a U.S. entity, to propose a new project aimed at transporting Canadian oil across the border. The project, named Prairie Connector, is under consideration by South Bow, with a decision expected by mid-2027. Additionally, South Bow has reached a settlement with the U.S. government over an oil spill incident in Kansas in 2022.
Furthermore, Trump’s recent decision to postpone new tariffs on Canadian goods for three days aligns with his expressed interest in potentially reviving the Keystone XL project. However, Prime Minister Mark Carney did not address the Keystone XL project in his statement regarding the tariff postponement.
