The National Post reports in its Thursday, Oct. 15, edition that last weekend, Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted Canadian oil and diesel exports as a reliable alternative to President Donald Trump's recent diesel deal with Russia, saying Canada would "continue to maximize" its exports to the United States. The Post's Tracy Moran writes that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra rejected claims that Canada's energy gives it leverage, saying the U.S. will not "be dependent on Canada making a decision." The White House is showing no urgency to return to the negotiating table. Since trade talks between Canada and the U.S. collapsed in August, there have been mentions of informal contact between negotiators, but no formal discussions have been held -- and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has no plans to visit Washington. Since Canada has an economy one-12th the size of the U.S. economy, the Post says it has more to lose and less leverage, making this a risky waiting game. Some trade watchers say the two sides need to resume talks, and some suggest the looming threat of higher tariffs on Jan. 1 -- and possibly a U.S.-Mexico preliminary deal -- could push Ottawa back to the table.