Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a series of sharp measures on Wednesday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods — including a 25% tariff on most exports and a 10% levy on energy products.
The sweeping tariffs, enacted on March 4, have sparked a trade war between Canada and the U.S., prompting Smith to outline a multi-pronged strategy aimed at fortifying Alberta’s economy and reducing reliance on American imports.
Speaking at a press conference, Smith announced four initiatives designed to protect Alberta’s interests while leveraging economic strength.
“I'm announcing the following measures in response to the actions of the U.S. president,” said Smith, emphasizing a shift toward self-reliance and strategic trade partnerships.
Smith revealed a significant overhaul of procurement practices across the province.
“I’ve directed my cabinet to alter our procurement practices to ensure the Government of Alberta, along with our agencies, school boards, Crown corporations, and all Alberta municipalities purchase all needed goods and services from Alberta companies, from Canadian companies, and from countries with which Canada has a free trade agreement that is being honoured,” she said.
The move aims to prioritize local and allied suppliers, effectively sidelining U.S. goods in public sector purchasing.
In a second measure targeting American imports directly, Smith announced a ban on new purchases of U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals (VLTs) through the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
“No further purchases of U.S. alcohol or new VLTs will be permitted through the AGLC until further notice,” she said. “We just have to drink a bit more B.C. wine and Alberta craft beer and spirits, and that’s just fine with us.”
The announcement aligns with retaliatory actions taken by other provinces, such as Ontario’s removal of U.S. liquor from LCBO shelves, but reflects Alberta’s unique focus on boosting its own craft beverage industry.
Third, Smith outlined a plan to empower consumers and retailers to favour Canadian and allied products.
“I’m directing my government to assist our grocers and other retailers with labeling all Canadian products in our stores, and ask them to voluntarily purchase their stock from vendors in Alberta, Canada, or countries that we share free trade agreements with that are being honoured,” she said.
To enhance the effort, Alberta will launch “a substantial advertising campaign to assist Albertans to more easily access information about where various products on store shelves are from.”
Smith also highlighted the emergence of technology to support the shift, saying, “I understand as well that there’s at least four apps that have been created in recent weeks and months that can assist Albertans in doing this.”
She proposed better interprovincial collaboration to counter the U.S. tariffs.
“My government will enter into free trade and labor mobility agreements with every province that is willing to do so,” she said. “The goal is to have no exceptions, just free trade and free movement of Canadian workers right across our province.”
The initiative seeks to dismantle internal trade barriers and strengthen Canada’s economic resilience.
“I also want to point out that Canada has a secret weapon in this trade conflict with the United States, a trump card so to speak, and it is located directly under our feet, and it is called Alberta energy,” she said.
“You see, Alberta happens to have one of the largest deposits of oil and natural gas on the planet.”
While Smith has previously resisted calls to restrict energy exports as a retaliatory measure, her comments signal a readiness to leverage Alberta’s energy dominance in negotiations, positioning it as a critical asset in Canada’s response to the U.S.
Alberta's retaliation comes amid heightened tensions following Trump’s tariff announcement, which Smith has called “an unjustifiable economic attack on Canadians and Albertans.”
Canada’s countermeasures include a 25% surtax on $155 billion worth of U.S. imports. This is divided into two phases — $30 billion in tariffs effective immediately, and an additional $125 billion to be imposed after a 21-day consultation period.
The initial $30 billion tranche covers 1,256 products, including orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper.
The full list of goods for the second tranche is still under consultation.
Ontario has banned U.S. alcohol from Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves, canceled a $100 million contract with Starlink, and threatened a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
British Columbia has stopped purchasing U.S. liquor from "red states" and directed government entities to prioritize Canadian goods.