Alberta’s premier defends Canada on U.S. TV news shows as tariff fight takes twist

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fighting back as the trade war between the United States and Canada heats up. CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski reports.

EDMONTON — As the tariff war with the U.S. continued its twists and turns Thursday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made the rounds of U.S. TV networks reminding Americans that Canada has to look out for itself in the fight.

A day earlier, Alberta announced it would emulate other provinces and stop buying American alcohol and halt contracting with U.S. companies in response to sweeping tariffs imposed the day before that by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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The battle took yet another turn Thursday afternoon when Trump signed an executive order to pause some new duties on Canada.

Smith’s government has not indicated whether it will change its countermeasures in response.

Finance Minister Nate Horner told reporters that he hadn’t spoken with Smith since Trump reversed course again, but said his staff will continue to monitor the impact of the back-and-forth and the threat of tariffs.

“It’s going to be quite a ride,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Smith told CNN, “The purpose of (tariffs) is so that American businesses buy fewer Canadian products.

“So our reaction is: if the Americans aren’t going to buy products from our Canadian companies, we have to.”

Smith made the comments in reaction to the interviewer pointing out that an American whiskey-maker has called Canada’s countermoves a disproportionate response.

Earlier, Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman Corp., the maker of Jack Daniels, said the decision by Canadian provinces to take U.S. whiskeys off shelves is “worse than a tariff.”

Alberta estimates about $292 million in U.S. liquor products was sold in the province in 2023-24.

Smith reiterated the point later on Fox News, calling it the “logical” thing for Canadians to do.

“We’re just trying to be supportive of our own industries and our own businesses,” she said.

She also noted that the tariff war hurts financial markets and will lead to American job losses.

“Let’s get back to having that tariff-free relationship as soon as possible,” she said.

Also Thursday, the province laid out the details of the alcohol ban. Alberta liquor stores are private but must buy from the province’s Alberta Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis agency. The agency told retailers it will no longer accept American liquor products.

Products shipped from the U.S. after Tuesday will be hit with a 25 per cent surcharge, as per rule changes from the federal government.

Retailers can continue selling their stock of U.S. booze, but the government distributor won’t accept returns.

Smith’s government, along with its agencies, school boards, Crown corporations and municipalities, is prioritizing buying goods and services from suppliers in Alberta, Canada or other jurisdictions that honour Canada’s trade agreements.

“If our Canadian companies are going to be heard, it’s the best way we can help them — to redirect our purchasing,” said Smith.

Two days ago, Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 per cent levies on energy. He has said the tariffs are to motivate Canada to take action on cross-border drug traffic.

Smith has pushed back, saying Americans have to do their part and not just blame their northern neighbours.

“If you think it’s just Canada and Mexico, you’d have to believe there are no drug cartels or organized crime or meth labs in the United States. We know that to not be true,” she said, pointing to drugs being seized moving north into Canada.

After putting $29 million into beefing up Alberta’s border security, Smith said: “Our province has really met the objectives.”

By Lisa Johnson with files from Matthew Scace in Calgary

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.