No indication Trump will back down on tariffs, but retaliating not the answer: Smith
By Canadian Press on January 13, 2025.
EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she received no indication from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend that he plans to back down on implementing hefty tariffs on Canadian products.
But Smith says cutting off oil and gas exports to the south in retaliation, which is something the federal government hasn’t ruled out, isn’t feasible.
She says the federal government should never “threaten” something it can’t afford to do.
Smith visited Trump at his Florida home over the weekend as a guest of Canadian businessman and television personality Kevin O’Leary.
She says the incoming president’s biggest irritant remains what he calls the United States’ “trade deficit” with Canada, and says she expects Trump’s promised 25 per cent tariffs to remain in effect until it’s solved.
Smith says she will be attending Trump’s inauguration next week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2025.
Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
11-10
Maybe if we sent Nenshi and Miyashiro they can do a better job of defending Alberta. Of course I am being sarcastic.
What a trio, Trump, O:Leary and Smith. And the message is that we sit back and let Trump bully his way through Canada. Quite frankly, I’m m not sure who O’Leary thinks he is, and Smith should stay home and work on the issues Alberta faces and quit thinking she has any influence on Federal politics.
Make no mistake, Canadians have plenty of ways to react to US influence. Softwood, energy, vehicles, and all products produced in Canada that are shipped South are products Americans rely on. They are not doing us a favor buying from us, they need us.
And each individual Canadian can control his destiny by making a decision on where he spends his money. Resist products manufactured in the states, if possible. Check the label, and see where things are made. How about travelling somewhere other than the US for vacations? Trust me, they will feel the pinch. I think we tend to simply sit back and wrong our hands instead of doing everything we can as consumers, to make a difference.
And at the federal political level we need to push back as much as we can against this ridiculous bully (and his cronies) at every opportunity. Trump is a megalomaniac and his motivation is power, plain and simple. The only things a bully understands is a pushback.
Hopefully we have elected officials with the self-confidence and faith in our country to defend us on the world stage.
And Smith, stay home and fix th problems you were elected for, you are kidding yourself if you think you have any influence over US politics.
I completely disagree with you! Trudeau has made so many bad trade deals, selling out parts of our sovereignty in some that I do not trust him or his government to deal with this effectively and the US is Alberta’s largest trading partner, so Smith so be very much involved, making sure we are properly represented since Trudeau has made every effort to destroy the Alberta economy.
You should consider some of these facts and if you live in this city understand we need to be represented by our Premier!
Alberta exported $156.3 billion to the US in 2023 and in the month of November 2024 alone, almost $13 billion, as exports increased in 2024.
Agriculture and agri-food made up 6% ($8.8 billion) of those exports.
The Liberals have made sure Alberta has not been fairly represented in many trade deals and that is why our Premier is there fighting for us!
I remember Notley making trips to Washington to fight of pipelines. Or do you not want to admit that?
Another major economic driver in Alberta is the beef export market to the USA, worth $billions/year. It is probable that a 25% tariff on Alberta beef exports could devastate the industry. Many beef producers are UCP voters. Would Danielle Smith turn the tap off of energy exports in retaliation? Or does she just assume that she will get beef producer votes no matter what……Would tax dollars or monies from the Heritage Trust Fund be used as compensation for a beef industry shortfall?
The silence on the possible impact of a 25% tariff on Alberta beef exports is deafening.
The USA also imports $billions in beef products from Australia. Would Australia also be included re: 25% tariffs?
She would like nothing better than to abandon Canada and join the States. This has been her goal since becoming Premier. She wants to distance Alberta from the country by trying to rip away connections to the CPP, Mounted Police and free Medicare.
Oil and gas was Canada’s biggest negotiating card and now she insists that it is off the table. She will be remembered by the people of Canada, as will Kevin O’Leary, as the quislings that they are. Move down there if you love it so much, but don’t take Canada with you.
https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/eu-ue/index.aspx?lang=eng
https://www.international.gc.ca/country_news-pays_nouvelles/2024-06-13_france.aspx?lang=eng
Time to shore up and build on trading partners other than the USA. Smith should put away her MAGA cap and focus her attention on the needs of Alberta’s economy rather than genuflecting to the mercurial nut south of the border.