U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that a controversial oil pipeline endeavor is being resurrected amidst ongoing negotiations between Canada and the United States to prevent potential new U.S. tariffs on Canadian products. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express optimism about the revival of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which he claims was abandoned by President Biden. The President shared an image depicting him lifting a symbolic pipeline from a grave, surrounded by American flags and a headstone blaming Biden for its demise.
While Trump’s statement on the pipeline’s revival has not been addressed by Canada publicly, Washington announced a temporary halt on planned 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods to facilitate further discussions. The history of the Keystone XL expansion dates back to its initial proposal in July 2008 under the leadership of Stephen Harper and George W. Bush. Throughout the years, the project faced opposition and regulatory challenges, leading to its ultimate termination in June 2021.
Fast forward to February 2025, Trump, now in his second term, urged the company overseeing Keystone XL to expedite its construction. Despite South Bow’s disengagement from the project, discussions with customers persist to explore options for meeting the rising demand for Canadian oil supply. As of April 30, 2026, Trump’s authorization of a proposed venture to transport Canadian oil across borders signals a partial revival of the Keystone XL initiative. The new project, involving South Bow and Bridger Pipeline, aims to utilize parts of the original Keystone XL infrastructure but follows a distinct Alberta-to-Wyoming route. Moreover, South Bow has recently settled with the U.S. government over the 2022 oil spill incident, agreeing to substantial penalties and environmental remediation efforts. Trump’s decision to postpone impending tariffs on Canadian goods for three days aligns with his renewed focus on the potential resurrection of the Keystone XL project.