Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Canada needs to unite in the wake of U.S. tariffs. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Tariffs an ‘unjustifiable economic attack,’ says Alberta premier

Mar 4, 2025 | 10:57 AM

Canada’s political leaders are speaking out against the implementation of tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States.

President Donald Trump has followed through with his promise to impose 25 per cent across-the-board levies on imports from Canada and Mexico, with a lower 10 per cent charge on Canadian energy.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called this an “unjustifiable economic attack” on Canadians and Albertans.

“These tariffs will hurt the American people, driving up costs for fuel, food, vehicles, housing and many other products. They will also cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs. This policy is both foolish and a failure in every regard,” says Smith.

Smith says this is not how things should be between two of the world’s strongest trading allies and partners. She adds that she would rather work with the U.S. on mutually beneficial trade deals than be caught in the middle of a trade war.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced counter-measures Tuesday morning that includes an immediate 25 per cent tariff on $30 billion worth of American goods. He plans to expand that to cover an additional $125 billion in U.S. imports 21 days from now.

Smith, in a rare show of unity with the Liberal leader, says she fully supports the federal response.

She exclaims that now is the time for all of Canada to come together to protect its people and economy.

“We must do everything in our collective power to immediately tear down provincial trade barriers and fast-track the construction of dozens of resource projects, from pipelines to LNG facilities to critical minerals projects,’ says Smith. “We must strengthen our trade ties throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas for all our energy, agricultural and manufactured products. We also need to drastically increase military spending to ensure we can protect our nation. There is no time to waste on any of these initiatives.”

The premier plans to meet with her cabinet today and tomorrow to discuss Alberta’s response to the tariffs, which is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Trudeau says the U.S. launched a ‘very dumb’ trade war and Canada is fighting back