BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The U.S. Energy Information Administration says in 2022, about 99.9% of total annual natural gas imports into the U.S. were from Canada.
Commodities expert Eugene Graner says oil prices have declined $10 a barrel since President Trump took office. The president’s threat to tariff Canada’s energy by 10% has left many Midwesterners concerned, as it could mean a hike in gas prices for the average American.
Much of the Canadian crude oil given to the United States goes into the Midwest, including North Dakota. However, the state’s own fuel production might soften the blow of the prices.
“It doesn’t mean our prices go up 10%, you have our oil production that’s blended into this, so you might maybe see an uptick in sale prices probably of about ten to 20 cents at tops,” said Graner.
The price change might differ across states, but some are trusting of the impacts these tariffs will have on the economy in the long run.
“He’s a businessman,” said consumer Chad Reinken. “That’s the way he’s going to run the country, like he did before, so I’m pretty confident.”
Others aren’t too keen on the upcoming changes.
“There’s nothing I can do, I guess, about it,” said consumer Jean Sherr. “I mean, there’s a lot of things I would change, but life’s not that simple.”
Graner said little is known about the effects these tariffs could have, as they have yet to take place. The changes will not be seen until the end of the month if agreements between the two nations aren’t reached.
“Every time you get a new president, things change and I’m hoping that, yeah, it’ll go up, but it should level out somewhere,” said consumer Beverly Labelle. “It can’t just keep going up, otherwise everybody would have to walk to work.”
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