Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to meet with U.S. officials next week amid trade war

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to meet with U.S. officials during a trip south of the border next week. According to her press secretary, Sam Blackett, the meetings have been added to a trip planned months ago. Smith intends to emphasize the destructive impact of trade tariffs on American citizens and offer assistance once the tariffs are lifted.

She will be accompanied by Alberta’s senior U.S. representative, Nathan Cooper, and will join other Canadian officials including Mark Ezell, Stephanie Coleman, and Deana Ivey. Smith asserts that the U.S. has no justification for its actions and does not believe Canada can win through forceful measures. She warns that if Canada imposes a 50% tariff on the four million barrels of oil exported daily, the U.S. would retaliate with tariffs of 50 to 100% on refined oil and gas products.

Alberta is participating in organizations like the Council of State Governments Midwest, with MLA Jennifer Johnson representing the province. Smith has also proposed imposing a 50% tax on U.S. alcohol entering Alberta and called for an accelerated approval timeline for a proposed pipeline.