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PT_BR 
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada could use oil and gas exports as leverage in negotiations if U.S. tariffs on imports of Canadian goods increase, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joy told a business audience in Toronto on Wednesday.
Canada is pledging to impose tariffs on C$155 billion worth of U.S. imports, but has so far not suggested whether it will reduce exports of key commodities to the United States or impose tariffs on them.
The country exports about 4 million barrels of oil per day to the US, approximately 90% of its total crude oil sales.
“Of course, there is oil and gas. We haven’t put that on the table yet, we have kept those cards up our sleeves, cards that we can use if this gets worse, and the US knows that,” Joly said.
The minister also said U.S. farmers would have to pay an extra C$1.7 billion if Ottawa imposed export tariffs on potash, but did not specifically mention whether that would be a card that could be used in negotiations.
Alberta, Canada's top energy exporting province, says it will never accept the idea of reducing energy exports to the United States.
Joly is a minister in the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will step down after the ruling Liberal Party chooses a new leader next Sunday.
Both leading candidates say Canada needs to take a tough stance with U.S. President Donald Trump on tariffs.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren)
