Ottawa could limit oil to U.S. over tariffs. Will they? It may be unlikely [Video]

Restricting Alberta energy exports to the U.S. is within Ottawa’s purview, experts say.

But recent comments suggest that move may be unlikely, even if it’s not “off the table.”

U.S. President Donald Trump does not appear to be backing off on imposing tariffs against Canada, set to be imposed as soon as Saturday. As the country contemplates how to respond, two federal ministers are signalling that a ban on Alberta energy exports may not be the best path to take.

“I would say that anything that we do has to be done in a thoughtful way, it has to ensure regional equitability and it also has to ensure that you’re not provoking long-term unintended consequences,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Wednesday.

“Any response needs to be done in a thoughtful way targeting products that will hurt Americans more than they will hurt Canadians.”

Two weeks ago, the …