Story perspectives

Trump Suggests Keystone XL Revival as Canada Tariffs Paused

8/21/2026

Summary

Trump Revives Keystone

President Donald Trump suggested reviving the Keystone XL pipeline as Canada-U.S. trade talks advance.
Trump announced a three-day pause on threatened 50% tariffs against Canada.
President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image showing himself pulling a pipeline from a grave labeled “BURIED BY BIDEN.”
Atiya Jaffar of 350.org Canada warned any revival would face Indigenous and climate activist opposition.

Summary

South Bow Expansion

Analysts estimate reviving the Keystone XL pipeline requires about $100 billion to increase Alberta oil-sands capacity.
South Bow Corp, owner of Keystone XL assets, declined comment on the revival.
Spokesperson Solomiya Lyaskovska said South Bow supports expanding Canadian crude transport.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to double oil output to 12 million barrels daily for new pipelines.
Scholars warn Canada’s anticommons and Indigenous rights law could block future pipelines.

History

Historical Context

Bush’s administration granted a State Department permit for Keystone XL in March 2008, envisioning an $8 billion, 830,000-barrel-per-day pipeline across the US-Canada border. After Obama blocked it in 2015, Trump revived the project in 2017, and the 2025 Trump administration again rescinded Biden’s revocation, prompting renewed opposition from the Standing Rock Sioux and other Indigenous groups.

1 of 3

Trump Revives Keystone

President Donald Trump suggested reviving the Keystone XL pipeline as Canada-U.S. trade talks advance.
Trump announced a three-day pause on threatened 50% tariffs against Canada.
President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image showing himself pulling a pipeline from a grave labeled “BURIED BY BIDEN.”
Atiya Jaffar of 350.org Canada warned any revival would face Indigenous and climate activist opposition.

1 / 3