Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has cautioned Albertans about upcoming U.S. tariffs against Canada.
"It's going to be a wild ride for the next four years, and I hope we can do our part to minimize the harm," said Smith during her Saturday radio interview.
Alberta recently released its 2025 budget — warning residents of the potential economic costs of U.S. tariffs. The province offered a small tax break to low income earners to help with possible ramifications.
"But I think that until we get a new Canada-U.S. free trade agreement — that's going to be when we finally get some resolution — those processes can take a long time. I think it took about 18 months last time around."
U.S. tariffs against Canada involve a 25% levy on most Canadian goods imported into the U.S., with a 10% tariff applied to Canadian oil and gas. The tariffs were announced by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a broader trade policy aimed at addressing issues like illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Trump, who threatens to make Canada a fifty-first U.S. state, has complained about the flow of drugs and migrants from Canada into the U.S. Alberta and Canada have both taken steps to strengthen border security in hopes of avoiding or reducing tariffs.
Trump says he doesn't need Canadian natural resources.
"U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods won’t just hurt our workers — they’ll drive up costs for American families," said Smith recently.
"Canada has supplied the U.S. with essential products like energy, lumber, and critical minerals reliably for decades."
Lisa Baiton, president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers said of the matter, "Nobody wins with the introduction of tariffs on Canadian energy. With the complexity of North American and global oil and natural markets, it is difficult to predict how the application of a 10% tariff on Canadian oil and gas will impact supply, demand and trade patterns."
U.S. tariffs are scheduled to hit on Tuesday. Ottawa has indicated plans for retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports in response, which could start a trade war.
"Canada can and must now come together in an unprecedented effort to preserve the livelihoods and futures of our people and expand our political and trade relationships across the globe," said Smith in January.
"We can no longer afford to be so heavily reliant on one primary customer."