Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Warns Against US Trade Retaliation

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she is disappointed by the escalating trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. and hopes for a resolution soon.

The dispute threatens to destabilize economic relations between the two neighbors. Smith said that implementing retaliatory tariffs would place an undue financial burden on Canadian citizens rather than the foreign government.

Smith said she hopes the two nations can resolve the conflict within the next two weeks ^[2]. She said the current trajectory of the dispute is unsustainable for the domestic economy.

According to some reports, retaliatory tariffs could be set at 50% on approximately C$28 billion of Canadian goods ^[1]. Smith said such a move would be too painful for Canada to accept, noting that "countertariffs would hurt consumers here."

While other provincial leaders have shown varying levels of support for a firmer stance, Smith has expressed a more diplomatic preference. She said the demands from the U.S. were "too painful" for Canada to agree to in a new trade deal.

Reports on the alignment of Canada's provincial leaders vary. Some sources indicate other premiers have rallied behind Mark Carney in the dispute while Smith questioned the retaliation plan, while other reports suggest Smith stands alone in her diplomatic approach.

Regardless of the political divide among premiers, Smith continues to advocate for a negotiated settlement. She said the priority should remain on protecting the consumer from the price hikes associated with trade wars.