Premier Danielle Smith talks with colleagues during the fall meetings of Canada's premiers hosted by Ontario in Toronto, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

By Jayk Sterkenburg

PROVINCE

Premier Smith joining counterparts to advocate for Canada-U.S. relationship in Washington

Feb 10, 2025 | 11:27 AM

Premier Danielle Smith, along with her counterparts across Canada, will visit the U.S. capital Monday to advocate for solutions that will repair the country’s long-standing relationship with the United States.

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READ: Trump says 25 per cent tariffs are coming today for steel and aluminum imports

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The premiers’ trip is part of a Council of the Federation mission to Washington, D.C. from Tuesday to Thursday.

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It will come a day after the U.S. is expected to place blanket 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent levies on aluminum on Monday.

“The past few weeks have marked a pivotal time in the historic partnership that has bridged our two nations for generations,” Smith said in a statement Monday.

Smith will support a Team Canada approach to engaging with U.S. lawmakers and industry, according to a news release.

The effort will highlight how tariffs on Canadian and U.S. products harm Canadians, Americans, workers, businesses and industry on both sides of the border.

Smith will also take the opportunity to reinforce how Alberta is contributing to Canada’s enhanced efforts to secure the shared border.

The premier will establish how economies can be collectively grown, and the significant role Alberta energy plays in helping the U.S. create prosperity for its people and achieve energy dominance and security for the long term.

“I was, like all Canadians, deeply disappointed by President Donald Trump’s decision to announce damaging tariffs,” she said.

Smith added, however, that she is encouraged by the decision to pause tariffs for 30 days, and “the progress the pause represents.”

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READ: Canada receives 30-day tariff reprieve after Trudeau calls Trump

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She said that the deferral is further evidence that diplomacy and action on border security matters.

“I look forward to lending my voice alongside Canada’s Premiers in Washington, D.C. where we will meet with U.S. decision makers and influencers to continue efforts to deescalate tensions between our two countries,” she said.

Smith said that she plans to work together with the U.S. on shared goals and find common ground “so that we can restore our mutually beneficial and enduring friendship.”

In January, Smith broke ranks with her fellow premiers and Trudeau, saying Ottawa shouldn’t place counter-levies on Alberta’s oil and gas shipments.

Alberta has pledged $29 million on its own border security plan that includes a new sheriffs unit and the ability to make certain arrests without a warrant in a designated buffer zone.

— With files from The Canadian Press