Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants to see Canada “double down” on diplomacy efforts with U.S. officials and avoid any further escalation of the trade war between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the premier rejected calls by the Opposition NDP, along with others such as former premier Jason Kenney, to use Alberta’s energy exports as a high-stakes bargaining chip.
“Although I understand the need to respond strongly to these tariffs, I cannot think of a more disastrous policy decision than cutting off or taxing Alberta’s oil to the United States,” she said.
“When you take an action, you have to expect an equal and opposite — and probably even more forceful — reaction.”
The U.S. has the power to cripple Canada energy-wise, she cautioned.
“It would not only extinguish the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Albertans, it would economically hobble our friends and neighbors in other provinces to the east.”
Smith predicted if Canada were to enact a 50 per cent tariff on the four million barrels of oil exported south each day, the U.S.would hit back with a 50 to 100 per cent retaliatory tariff on all the oil and gas products, including ones shipped up to Eastern Canada like aviation and other refined fuels.
“This would result in the loss of about half a million jobs at a minimum, mostly in Alberta, but also hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ontario and Quebec.”
Cutting off exports entirely would hurt even worse, the premier cautioned.
“The United States would, of course, respond and cut off all gasoline and diesel from their refineries to Ontario and Quebec, right as we turn into fall and winter,” Smith said.
She also predicted American refineries that currently process Alberta’s heavy oil would switch to refining Venezuelan oil.
“As a result, we would lose the United States as a customer entirely and likely forever.”
So far, Alberta’s oil and gas exports to the U.S. have dodged Trump’s tariffs.
Provincial statistics peg the value of Alberta’s oil exports to the U.S. in 2025 at close to $111 billion — representing much of the province’s nearly $177 billion worth of all global exports.
Smith said she doesn’t think Canada could win the dispute through force and that it’ll come down to Canada being “too friendly, kind and helpful to resist.”
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“We need to be wise, patient, careful and deliberate to overcome the economic attacks our country is facing. So rather than making threats and promises we know we cannot keep, Canada should focus on what we can control and do,” Smith said.
The U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3 will see votes for all 435 Congress seats and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate.
If Democrats regain control of either chamber, they will be empowered to block U.S. President Donald Trump’s agenda and launch investigations into his administration for the final two years of his term.
Smith said Canada needs to seize the moment.
“We must give our people and our businesses the resources they need to survive, and give the American people and their leaders the time they need to reverse these terrible policies after the November midterms.”
The Alberta premier said that means de-escalating threats and ramping up diplomacy with U.S. Congress members and State governors in both parties, to communicate how destructive tariffs are for Americans.
“Canada will not win this battle through brute force. We will win it through being smarter, more strategic, more agile, and using our relationship with the American people to have these tariffs reversed.
“That is how we win.”
Opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi said Smith’s strategy is to do nothing.
“She thinks being nice to the Americans and hoping they come around is a strategy,” Nenshi said after Smith’s news conference. “It isn’t.
“Hope is not a strategy and relying on Trump is certainly not a strategy.”
The NDP said it’s time for tough decisions like banning American liquor and cancelling the referendum to focus on the trade war.
“For more than a year now we’ve been talking about the need to strengthen Canadian markets, forming a more strategic relationship with the United States, diversifying our global trade relations, attracting global talent, and, most of all, protecting Alberta’s workers.
“Every other premier is on board with Team Canada except Danielle Smith. Let’s get back to work and save Canada.”
Those leading the charge to stay in Canada agreed. On Wednesday, Forever Canadian organizer Thomas Lukaszuk said the Oct. 19 referendum must be deferred.
“In light of the recent unprovoked trade war launched by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, we submit that this is not the time for unnecessary domestic conflict; this is the time for Albertans to stand together with our fellow Canadians and collectively rally against this unprecedented economic threat,” he said in an open letter to the premier on Wednesday.
Smith said the vote is a separate situation and if anything, the timing reiterates the importance of considering the nation’s unity.
“I think this is an important time for us to be looking at the benefits that come from being a part of Canada. That’s what I’ve been advocating. That’s why I’m voting to remain,” she said.
During her afternoon news conference on the trade dispute, Smith said she opposes tariffs on all fronts but that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s list of proposed counter-tariffs is a good match for the U.S. tariffs that took affect Saturday.
The U.S. has levied import fees on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, with Canada announcing counter-tariffs that are to kick in Sept. 8 on an array of items, ranging from American steel and aluminum products to video game consoles and fishing rods.
Smith is calling on her fellow premiers and Ottawa to do more to protect Canadian businesses through the fray, including some tax reform measures and reducing interprovincial trade barriers around alcohol.
“No more protectionism — stop talking about it and just do it.”
Smith also called for an accelerated approval timeline for the West Coast pipeline that her government is pitching.
She said she has formed two new committees in response to the breakdown in trade talks, as well as an online portal for businesses to share how they’re being impacted by tariffs.
Smith said one committee, made up of her cabinet members, is to discuss on Thursday following Saskatchewan’s lead by imposing a 50 per cent tax on U.S. alcohol brought into that province.
She said she prefers Premier Scott Moe’s approach to an outright ban on American alcohol in Alberta, noting Canadian products aren’t blocked from going south of the border.
“Maybe this is an opportunity for all provinces to look at if we’re going to match equal for equal.”
—with files from Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press
OMG, I can’t believe how uneducated commentors on this Platform, total Illeterat on Economics & comment based on TDS & HATE. Alberta is the best economy, best tax rates, no PST, lowest debt, only Growing Population & Billions kn investments. BUT nothing but Hate for the intelligent way forward, Negotiate & get a Deal like all other G7 countries, the EU & hundreds of other Countries. It’s scary to think how uneducated so many of these Commentors are, nor knowing anything about Economics and Trade, Schools are failing Educating Canadians!
Of course she’s right, she went & Negotiated with Trump & why we have little tariffs, the Liberals should try it, insults don’t work! The USA is the largest Oil producer in rhe World, 4 times Canada & if they replace are Oil with VENEZUELAN or MEXICO OIL, why would they switch back? We already pay WTI or BRENT Pricing for the 500,000 barrels/Day we import into Eastern Canada, it costs over $20 Billion/ year & with most co.ing from the USA the USA would retaliate & increase are Costs. They could replace are OIL, but what would Ontario & Quebec do if the USA Stopped the Oil flowing through the USA to Sarnia, Imagine Ontario & Quebec without FUEL! Wanted a Deal, put the pride aside & think of the Millions that need a better economy & prospect for Canada!
Not surprised one bit, everyone knew she was a rat amd doesn’t care about alberta. This has already been said but wouldn’t be surprised if Trump and her share trade deals and tattoo themselves on each other. C you next Tuesday to say the least.
I wouldn’t be surprised if DS has Trumph tattoo on her azz.
Smith is just not doing it the liberal way. Like sending 12 billion dollars to buy weapons to stop a war
Daniel smith is a coward and should be ashamed to call herself Canadian. Either help the team or do everyone a favor, pull that bottom lip over your face and swallow.
Smith is the only premier who understands just how much power the USA yields. All you cretins advocating for tariff retaliation do not understand the repercussions that would happen and the severity of them. Its so easy for BC, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba to demand Alberta to bow to their decisions. But when it comes to their provinces they all get NIMBY. People seem to forget which province pays the most in transfer payments. Cut off the money train and most will be complaining about the lack of infrastructure and social programs not being made available. My god some people need to remove the Liberal Arabian googles from their face.
I predict that Carney will give Trump a way to save face and Trump will sign before the Canadian tariffs kick in after labor day. He has a 30% approval rating, an Iran war he started that he can’t win, and is going to get crushed in the midterms. Maybe we should put our phones down, get outside and enjoy a beautiful day. Have a great rest of the day everyone!!😀
Canada needs an export tax on the excessive profits the multinational oil corporations are taking out of Canada.
Anyone who thinks wielding oil and gas like a hammer to blackmail the Americans to give Canada free access to their market isn’t very smart. What a dumb idea. The Americans would absolutely find alternatives and cut Canada off at the knees for good.
Unlike the elbows up morons, Danielle has a brain and isn’t driven by seething anti-Americanism. Grow up, you absolute fools.
American’s didn’t vote for Trump the man, they voted for his America First platform, and they will vote for it again and again. Get used to it.
The only anti canadians are liberal voters, you’re probably either newcomers or simple servants or crack pipe in hand
Anonymous
August 27, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Danielle is so anti-Canadian that she wants Canadians to bend down to our knees to serve the Americans. Shame on her.
She’s looking out for Alberta and Albertan jobs, the same people who elected her.
Burn the witch
August 27, 2026 at 12:39 pm
Oh god! Tax on oil! Who would ever do such a crazy thing. How dare you! That’s downright unamerican.
Lord knows you don’t care about Albertan jobs. Let me guess you’re from BC.
Oh god! Tax on oil! Who would ever do such a crazy thing. How dare you! That’s downright unamerican.
Danielle only cunadian politician with a brain in her head, tell everyone to go F themselves Danielle
Danielle is so anti-Canadian that she wants Canadians to bend down to our knees to serve the Americans. Shame on her.
Dee Ironside give it a rest.Your histrionics are getting tiresome. If you want to see real oppression, look at some other parts of the world. You are fortunate to live in this country, and this province. I would suggest broadening your sources of where you choose to inform yourself. Get over your self professes victimized. You must be doing okay financially, considering the amount of time you spend commenting. Peace be upon you and all of our fellow citizens.
soft on yanks
Guess not a little common sense would help another of elbow boys on here
@AB Patriot, give me a break. Your Boo Hoo attitude is tiring. If you think the grass is greener on the other side of the boarder, have at it, no one is stopping you.
Of course Ottawa wants to put an export tax on Oil and Gas. The money will go into there coffers and they will distribute it to Quebec and Elbows Up Canadians. It is theft from Western Canada.
KK consider going back to school, you or your teachers failed first go around.
Trumps ugly dickie licker!!
Carney and his fellow Liberals are pretty stupid, but even those wing nuts know that taxing oil and gas in Alberta will cause the seperation flames to burn even hotter. Been ‘done in’ one to many times in the past (by the rest of the country) to not believe this is primarily a move of dollars from Alberta to Ottawa (again).
US takes over 70% of Canada’s merchandise exports. Europe and Asia combined are under 25%. Geography, energy pipelines, auto supply chains, & shipping costs make full replacement UNREALISTIC. Serious deterioration would inflict SEVERE, lasting economic DAMAGE!
Definitely oppose Smith’s right wing ideology but we can’t cut off oil and gas as we would look like an unreliable supplier, and, as someone else alluded to, we would harm national unity. We need to take a strategic, pragmatic, and unemotional approach to the trade war. That goes against my every fibre as I’m angry at the USA but…
Reading these comments it’s really quite illuminating how Canada allowed a failed drama teacher to get elected multiple times and damn near ruin the country.
Danielle’s stance is what true leadership looks like – doing the right thing no matter how unpopular it is. I support her and will happily vote again for her in the future. Well done Premier Smith. Ignore the child-like boomer Elbowz tantrums.
The only push I want for her is the one off the edge of a cliff. And good riddance!
Intellectually lazy and emotionally unstable Canadians lack the capacity to understand such common sense
Much easier to use Trump to fuel their delusions of superiority
Madam Daniella
Do you mean to say that Canada should dance to the tunes of Trump. Remember it is US who started this stupid trade war. This is how US wanted to treat Canada for all the support and help it provided to US in all its useless wars.
Canada has to become self sufficient in every possible way. Good we have realized that US can never be a dependable and reliable friend.
Shame on Danielle. Canadians want Team Canada, not her version of Trump bootlicking.
Well as a lifelong Liberal Party supporter and voter, I voted for the Elbows Up guy.Saw him in a couple of those Austin Powers movies and figured he was definitely the guy to deal with Trump after the way he handled that Dr Evil.
I voted for the young fella with the wavy hair, Trudeau as well because it was 2015.He did a great job,too bad his term limit was up and could run for PM again.
Alot of low educated comments here. Jealousy of alberta and Mrs. Smith won’t fix u elbows!
Hermit. Perhaps grow some Grey matter !
Wow,the sub par I.Q. of some of the posters here really shows how the Boy Blunder Trudeau managed to stay in power for 10 years.
Liberals really do wear the labels they are given with pride
DANIEL SMITH IS A TRAITOR TO ALBERTANS AND CANADIANS. SHE MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE ASAP BEFORE A PROVINCIAL CIVIAL WAR ERUPTS.
Ds on knees.
Ass Up! Bitches
Stanley pussy pos
Stankey pussy
Anonymous
August 26, 2026 at 9:28 pm
Trump knows MAGA Smith and followers, and their cult admiration for him. This is the reason he is attacking our sovereignty, thinking it will be a walk in the park. Good thing Pee Pee is not our PM or we would given in already.
Heck yea Elbows up! or as Mark Carney would say “Canada Makes America Great Again”
Randall Bayne
August 27, 2026 at 12:50 am
Sorry for my spelling mistakes but Danielle Smith needs to stand up along with all of Canada instead of just caring about her province and what she gets out of it I don’t find her a team player
Imagine sitting here telling a Premier to not worry about the province she was elected in, this is why every other province is in a sad state because they don’t care about the people who voted them in.
BC resident
August 27, 2026 at 5:39 am
Please separate!!! I’ll help you move!! How the he’ll do you idiots think you can survive on your own walled off and landlocked?! I guess instead of the RCMP you’ll have flat earthers on ostriches?!
Your name says it all, worry about BC bud! Do you not know how to use the internet and do a tad bit a research.
“The trade and transit rules for landlocked countries are primarily governed by international maritime law, multilateral treaties, and bilateral agreements. These frameworks grant landlocked nations the right of access to and from the sea and freedom of transit through neighboring “transit states””
I see the doors to thr computer room at the asylum were left open again
Why would we show ourselves to be an unreliable supplier to our other customers by cutting off oil and natural gas? Plus someone else pointed out this would negatively affect national unity. I don’t care for her politics but cooler heads should prevail.
It is obvious of the commentators did not listen to Danielle Smith’s speech and knee-jerked to a partisan trite bias. Firstly she defended Canada, Carney & the Canada approach to fight Trump’s idiocy. Secondly she explained how cutting off oil to the USA is a strategy that would destroy the economies of Quebec & Ontario forever. This was done with reason, logic and statistics. It was a brilliant defense of Canada & also common sense,
of course she wants to play nice with her american handlers, she owes everything to them
DS on knees for trumps
Danielle Smith should be investigated and charged as a traitor. What did trump promise her when she gave him favors? Canada needs more customers for our oil Alberta has begged for years to build more east west capacity and now that is possible she sells Alberta into the states that have ruined us for years.
ALBERTA…YOU AREBTHE WEAKEST LINK…GOODBYE!!!
Please separate!!! I’ll help you move!! How the he’ll do you idiots think you can survive on your own walled off and landlocked?! I guess instead of the RCMP you’ll have flat earthers on ostriches?!
Problem is if she kisses Trump’s Azz enough and takes her province out of Canada, Trump will get her and her oil, take her oil rights in exhange for a big loan to run her new country, get her totally indebted to him and then annex her country and have all her oil and mineral rights in his name ! I think she’s the type who gets taken by men like Trump very easily!
Sorry for my spelling mistakes but Danielle Smith needs to stand up along with all of Canada instead of just caring about her province and what she gets out of it I don’t find her a team player
Danielle Smith nieces to the plate and not just care about Alberta but care about all of Canada and stand by the rest of the premier.
After years of criminalizing and sand bagging Alberta Energy you dippers think youre entitled to it now? Pound sand, every day you push more moderates to seperation. Let this country fall apart and rot. You get what you vote for.
Alberta needs to separate from that cluster they call a county .let all their retired elbows up and immigrants pay for it instead
I see the liberal bots are out again in full force. What a waist of my tax money
Albertas oil and gas not Canada’s. To support elbows up idiots
Traitor Smith wants to do nothing and kiss up to Trump and his goons.
Of course this traitor would
Marlaina should shut her traitor mouth.
Sanity! No doubt the TDS crowd cannot see the obvious truth of this path
Nice try NDP et al, but October 19 is NOT a referendum, unfortunately. Shut your pie-hole. That said, Danielle Smith would make a great Governor for the State of Alberta. And forget about the new pipeline through back-stab BC. We need the Keystone XL pipeline…
Yes let’s put on those tariffs so we increase that cost of living. Just like the liberal government we Canadians can just increase our debt load more.
Mean while everyone is going out to Walmart to purchase groceries from that American owned company or maybe head over to Tim’s as that is an American Owned company. But put a maple leaf up and tell people it is produced in Canada they will buy it as they should since it is Canadians that make it even though a majority of our Companies in Canada are American owned.
Really have to dig to find completely owned and operated Canadian companies if you only want to buy Canadian.
Maybe past governments should have built some refineries to produce our gas and die so we are more self sustaining.
She’s a sell out. She’s literally ok foe trump to walk all over her and tell her how to do her job.
Canada,s mineral rights belong to all Canadians !
I cannot think of a more disastrous policy decision than not threatening to cut off or taxing Alberta’s oil to the United States It would promote processing the oil here in Canada. That way there are more jobs and the money stays here in Canada. I cannot think of a more disastrous policy decision than to export all our oil to the US, to support their low gasoline prices, while ours doubles.
Negotiating with Trump is not the answer. He keeps changing his mind, and ignoring the agreements that he has made. Ass kissing Trump is what Smith is suggesting. Totally the wrong way to treat a bully. You do not give him your lunch money You stand up to hiim.
She is only thinking of herself , a very selfish person !
Smith is only inviting Trump to continue slapping tariffs on Canada because he sees Smith as weakness in Canada. Smith is a disgrace in playing politics with Canada’s future fortunes.
Alberta oil and gas belong to province of Alberta
Common sense from Alberta and Saskatchewan as the stupid east and far left coast act like toddlers not getting their way. WEXIT out of the stupidity that is the rest of Cana dumb.
Seems smith likes trump over Canada then….
Yankee Doodle Dani using the trump playbook. Take American booze of the shelves governor smith
We are such bad shape with all of this political posturing. Was it not long ago that all the premier’s were talking about fixing our own countries trade regulations with each province to help support Canadian workers. What happened to that?
We can’t build any pipelines to the west or east due to ridiculous political interference from First Nations, stupid environmental idiots that get to much press and two provinces that think only for themselves ( British Columbia and Quebec) and not the so called “ Team Canada”! Until we fix our own country we will continue to have separatist talk from Quebec and now Alberta.
Also unfortunately we never built any refining facilities to help our own country due to ridiculous interference from the same groups as previously mentioned. All though they all want the money from the producers and do nothing to unite our Country!
Now we have a federal government that deflects and blames all of the problems and the cost of living on the President so they don’t have to answer to all of their failings. First we had COVID that was the flu and very aggressive variety of the flu to deflect from the governments failure to improve our country and now they have the president to blame and deflect!
Trump must have written that for her
I agree with her diplomatic strategy, and I believe everyone who has been paying attention has noticed that Ottawa’s approach has only resulted in more tension and increased tariffs.
Trump knows MAGA Smith and followers, and their cult admiration for him. This is the reason he is attacking our sovereignty, thinking it will be a walk in the park. Good thing Pee Pee is not our PM or we would given in already.
Nobody should be suprised by Smith’s Alberta First strategy. That being said, any energy restricting strategy should be shared equally between all the energy providing provinces, not just Alberta.