Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada, has said the US’s delay in approving the construction of a controversial oil pipeline is a “wake-up call” that Canada needs to reduce its dependence on its neighbour and strengthen links with Asia.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Harper said the postponement of the Keystone XL pipeline, which crosses the US and Canada, was a bad decision “for both of our countries”. But he believed that the project would go ahead.

“Obviously we’re disappointed with the delay,” he said. “The president has told me that this is not a ‘No’. This is a process he believes needs to be completed over the next year. At the same time, we’re not prepared as a country in future to be a captive supplier to the US.”