Tariffs, Tankers, and Data Centre Tensions

The podcast is back after the summer break! Peter and Jackie begin with the escalating U.S.–Canada trade war, including renewed calls to use Canadian energy exports as leverage by reducing exports or imposing tariffs. Both approaches would hurt Canada more than the United States. They also discuss Canada’s new counter-tariffs, which take effect on September 8.

Next, they examine oil markets as the Strait of Hormuz closes again. With tanker traffic low and difficult to track, and refined-product markets tight, uncertainty remains high, with risks seemingly skewed toward higher oil prices in the near term.

They also discuss growing opposition to data centres, including permitting pauses in several U.S. states and local concerns about Meta’s planned development in Sturgeon County, Alberta.

Peter and Jackie then review Canadian LNG and oil pipeline developments from over the summer.

Finally, Graeme Edge, founder and CEO of Energy Disruptors, joins the podcast to preview the conference taking place in Calgary on September 28 and 29.

Content referenced on this podcast:

• CAPP Data Hub and the specific Data Book titled “Canadian Imports of U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Refined Products”
• ARC podcast on the Impacts of Tariffs on Canadian Oil and Gas from January 14, 2025
• List of products from the United States subject to counter-tariffs effective September 8, 2026 - Canada.ca
• Calgary Herald article that Anthropic, maker of Claude, is looking to put boots on the Ground in Alberta (August 20, 2026)
• Alberta Premier Smith video on six common questions on AI data centers
• Montana Revokes Bridger Pipeline Waiver After Legal Challenge, Pipeline & Gas Journal, July 29, 2026
• The Pipeline Comes First, Studio.Energy, August 25, 2026
• Energy Disruptors conference information

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