Alberta Premier to Meet U.S. Officials Amid Trade Dispute

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet with U.S. officials during a trip to the United States next week, a move her office confirmed was added to an itinerary planned months ago. This diplomatic engagement comes amid an escalating trade dispute and the imposition of U.S. tariffs.

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As the Premier said earlier this week, Canadian legislators should be doubling down on diplomacy with members of the U.S. Congress and lawmakers in both parties to ensure they understand how destructive these tariffs are for the American people, and how we will be there to help as soon as the tariffs are reversed.

Sam Blackett, press secretary for Smith, stated that "Canadian legislators should be doubling down on diplomacy with members of the U.S. Congress and lawmakers in both parties to ensure they understand how destructive these tariffs are for the American people, and how we will be there to help as soon as the tariffs are reversed." Smith is expected to engage with figures such as Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, and Stephanie Coleman, head of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, accompanied by Alberta’s senior U.S. representative Nathan Cooper.

Earlier this week, Smith criticized the U.S. actions in the trade talks, stating they had "no excuse for their behaviour." However, she expressed skepticism about Canada winning through "brute force." She also dismissed calls from the Opposition NDP and former premier Jason Kenney to leverage Alberta’s energy exports as a high-stakes bargaining chip, cautioning that the U.S. possesses significant power over Canada's energy sector.

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She also rejected calls by the Opposition NDP, along with others such as former premier Jason Kenney, to use Alberta’s energy exports as a high-stakes bargaining chip.

Smith predicted that if Canada were to impose a 50 percent tariff on the four million barrels of oil exported daily to the U.S., the U.S. would retaliate with tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on refined oil and gas products exported to Canada. Alberta's diplomatic efforts also include participation in organizations like the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwest. Furthermore, Smith has formed two committees to address the trade talk breakdown, with one cabinet committee exploring the possibility of imposing a 50 percent tax on U.S. alcohol entering Alberta, similar to Saskatchewan's approach.

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The U.S. has the power to cripple Canada energy-wise, she cautioned.