Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn't want to assume anything after meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence over the weekend, saying Canada needs to be “prepared” that threatened tariffs are on the way. .
Smith met with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday evening, and again at his golf club on Sunday morning. She was a guest of Canadian celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary.
“We had a friendly conversation, and I thought very constructively, in which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship,” Smith told reporters Monday morning, adding that she was also able to speak with members of the incoming U.S. administration.
Trump has said Canada and Mexico will impose 25 percent tariffs if they don't implement measures to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the United States.
Asked by reporters if she was able to get any assurances from the president-elect on tariffs, Smith said Canadians should be ready for them to take effect on Jan. 20.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida, said she didn't want to prejudge what would happen on tariffs, but said she saw no signs Trump was 'willing to change his approach'.
She added that Trump's biggest concern is the United States' “trade deficit” with Canada, which Smith doesn't believe.
“I understand, from reading the papers, that there are 100 executive orders coming … I don't see anything that indicates he's changed course,” she said.
“Our job is to work overtime to make sure … that we can make the case for a carve-out.”
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Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States is 'subsidizing' Canada to the tune of $100B.' Where does that number come from? And is Canada really getting a free ride from the US? Andrew Chang dives into the math, money and politics of the Canada-US trade relationship – to find out how much of what Trump says is actually true. Images collected from Reuters, Getty Images, and The Canadian Press.
Should a 25 percent tariff be imposed on Canadian goods, Smith said there needs to be a Canadian response.
“Let's be frank about it … if we put 25 percent tariffs on American goods, it makes everything more expensive for Canadians,” Smith said.
“That's why tariff wars are so painful, is you hurt yourself trying to retaliate. And that's why we have to be very thoughtful about how we do that.”
Restrictions on energy exports
Smith was also asked about Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly's appearance on CTV. Question period Sunday morning, in which Jolie said “everything” was on the table when asked about imposing restrictions on energy exports to the US.
“We'll have a conversation next week with the prime minister, (Finance Minister Dominique LeBlanc) and myself, and I'll have that conversation next week in Washington with Republican senators and key Republican decision makers,” Jolly. said
“It's important to understand that the threat is real and we are acting on it.”
The prime minister said such an idea would provoke a “crisis of national unity”.
“We're not going to stand for that,” she said.
Lisa Young, a political scientist at the University of Calgary, said Smith has been a very effective communicator for the United States, appearing on Fox News and speaking to key state governors.
“She's clearly made it her top priority to try and do something to stop the tariffs,” Young said. Calgary Eye Opener.
At the same time, there are risks involved, Young said.
“She's going there alone. She's not part of the 'Team Canada' effort. If she's negotiating some kind of carve-out for oil and gas, does that affect the broader Canadian stance of trying not to impose tariffs on others? Loaded?” said the youth. “Where is he finding himself relative to other Canadian efforts?”
Smith said no payment is required for access to the president-elect. She said that she will attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony next week.
