US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has weighed in on a separatist movement in Alberta, saying the western Canadian province is a "natural partner for the US".
"Alberta has a wealth of natural resources, but they won't let them build a pipeline to the Pacific," Bessent told an American right-wing commentator in an interview on Thursday.
"I think we should let them come down into the US, and Alberta is a natural partner for the US. They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people."
The top US official's comments come amid strained ties between US and Canada, and as signatures are being collected in the province seeking an independence referendum.
In comments to conservative host Jack Posobiec, Bessent went on to say there is a "rumour that they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not".
