Danielle Smith rejects taxing oil exports, pushes increased diplomacy efforts with U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has rejected calls to use oil exports as a bargaining chip in trade disputes with the United States. She warned that retaliatory tariffs or export cuts would devastate the Canadian economy and lead to permanent loss of U.S. customers.
Why it matters
The statement underscores the high-stakes economic interdependence between Canada and the U.S. and the potential for trade wars to cause significant job losses.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she wants to see Canada “double down” on diplomacy efforts with U.S. officials and avoid any further escalation of the trade war between the two countries.
On Wednesday, the premier rejected calls by the Opposition NDP, along with others such as former premier Jason Kenney , to use Alberta’s energy exports as a high-stakes bargaining chip.
“Although I understand the need to respond strongly to these tariffs , I cannot think of a more disastrous policy decision than cutting off or taxing Alberta’s oil to the United States,” she said.
“When you take an action, you have to expect an equal and opposite — and probably even more forceful — reaction.”
The U.S. has the power to cripple Canada energy-wise, she cautioned.
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