VANCOUVER, British Columbia — On Monday, Alberta’s premier, Danielle Smith, declared her opposition to any efforts aimed at halting energy shipments to the United States in response to threats from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding potential 25% tariffs on Canadian goods.
During a press conference held in Florida, following a visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, Smith emphasized the importance of Alberta’s energy resources, asserting, “Oil and gas are owned by the provinces, chiefly Alberta, and we will not accept that kind of threat.” She criticized the notion of resorting to actions that are not feasible, stating, “You should never, ever threaten something you cannot do.”
Trump has previously indicated he might exercise economic pressure to push Canada toward becoming the U.S.’s 51st state and has misrepresented the trade dynamics by painting the U.S. trade deficit with Canada – a country rich in natural resources providing vital commodities like oil – as a form of subsidy. He has claimed that the U.S. is not reliant on Canadian imports, including oil.
Currently, Canada supplies nearly 25% of the oil consumed daily in the U.S., with Alberta alone exporting approximately 4.3 million barrels a day. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that while the U.S. consumes about 20 million barrels daily, domestic production stands at around 13.2 million barrels.
Canada remains the primary destination for exports from 36 U.S. states, with daily trade in goods and services amounting to nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (approximately $2.7 billion USD). Over the weekend, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly discussed the possibility of implementing an energy embargo as a countermeasure to Trump’s tariff threats.
However, Smith warned that discontinuing pipeline supplies through Michigan could severely impact crucial energy delivery to Ontario and Quebec. “We should focus on actionable items rather than making hollow threats,” she noted, indicating her concern over Trump’s unwavering stance on tariffs, which could adversely affect both the Canadian economy and consumers in the U.S.
Smith also highlighted Alberta’s significant trade relationship with the U.S., reiterating, “We are a good partner who imports a considerable amount of U.S. goods—more than any other region. It’s essential to preserve this tariff-free relationship for our mutual benefit.”
In light of potential retaliatory tariffs contemplated by Canada on U.S. products such as orange juice, toilets, and various steel items, Smith pointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation as detrimental to effective negotiations with the incoming Trump administration.
“I’m very concerned about a leadership vacuum created by the ongoing situation,” Smith voiced her concerns. “That’s why I urge for an immediate election; we need someone prepared to engage with the administration and assert that we both have four-year mandates that need to be addressed.”
Smith is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration next week and has been active in diplomatic outreach, meeting with U.S. officials and engaging with media outlets across the border.
