Alberta’s premier expects the next month to be “pretty intense” as Canadians await responses from the federal government and from the United States in the wake of President Donald Trump’s threat to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods. “I hope that diplomacy will prevail,” Smith told reporters Tuesday following a meeting of Canadian premiers in Charlottetown. Trump announced Monday that his government would impose 50 per cent tariffs on goods from north of the 49th parallel in 30 days in retaliation to provincial bans on American alcohol and dairy supply management. Those goods range from natural honey to plywood to hockey sticks. Prime Minister Mark Carney has said the imposed tariffs violate the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Smith said the tariffs will not impact the Prairie Connector pipeline that will see 550,000 barrels a day travel from Alberta to Wyoming. “We already have done all the permitting on our side, they’ve got the permits on their side … so a lot of these things are happening regardless of the outstanding issues that we have,” said Smith. Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested that Canada impose tariffs on oil and potash in retaliation. “That’s not going to happen,” said Smith. “We’ll emerge with a signed CUSMA that continues to keep a tariff-free relationship between Canada and the U.S.. That’s what we’re all hoping for.” Carney and Trump have agreed to “intensify negotiations” in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, nine premiers say they have removed a major barrier to the interprovincial sale of alcohol. All provinces and the Yukon signed a memorandum in 2025 committing to open borders to direct consumer sales by this May. “This agreement will allow Alberta liquor producers to sell their beer, wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages directly to more Canadians, opening new markets and creating new opportunities for Alberta businesses to grow,” said Smith in a statement. With files from The Canadian Press
