Smith urges Ottawa to renew U.S. talks before Sept. 8 counter-tariffs
Alberta's premier warns that dueling tariffs risk deepening the Canada-U.S. trade war just as Ottawa unveils its retaliation plan and business supports.
Why it matters
Escalating tariffs could raise costs for Alberta businesses and consumers reliant on cross-border trade with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is urging the federal government to return to the negotiating table with the United States before Ottawa's planned counter-tariffs take effect on Sept. 8. In a statement posted online, Smith argued that tariffs and counter-tariffs risk further escalating trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.
The federal government announced Aug. 25 that it will impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of American exports, including steel, aluminum, smartphones and golf clubs, after trade talks between the two countries broke down the previous Friday. Ottawa also unveiled relief and support measures aimed at helping Canadian businesses withstand the trade dispute.
Smith said she appreciates the federal government's plan to support businesses and noted her own government is assessing whether additional provincial relief is needed. She has remained the lone holdout among Canada's provincial and territorial leaders in backing Prime Minister Mark Carney's counter-tariff strategy.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.