Federal Industry Minister Joly tight-lipped on leveraging Alberta energy with U.S.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called for Canada to engage in diplomacy with U.S. officials following a breakdown in trade talks. She emphasized that Canada should avoid escalating the trade war and focus on the destructive nature of tariffs. Smith suggested Canada should help its counterparts once the tariffs are reversed, emphasizing a more friendly and helpful approach.

She also urged her fellow premiers and the federal government to protect Canadian businesses through trade measures, such as cutting capital gain taxes and reducing internal trade barriers. Smith specifically mentioned the West Coast pipeline and asked for accelerated approval timelines. She firmly stated that Alberta oil should not be included in trade retaliation discussions, warning that such a move would lead to job losses and economic instability in the affected provinces and the broader Canadian economy.