NDP attacks Smith over tariff diplomacy effort

Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi has taken another swipe at Premier Danielle Smith over her efforts to avert or reduce U.S. tariffs.

The Trump Administration slapped a 25% tariff on Canadian goods entering the U.S. on Tuesday. A 10% tariff on oil and gas was also imposed. Canada fired back with billions in retaliatory tariffs.

“For decades, the U.S. has been our steadfast ally and single most important trading partner. Today, the president’s actions have damaged the special relationship our countries hold. This trade war will hurt us all," said Nenshi in a statement released Tuesday.

“Since the president first announced the threat of tariffs, the premier has consistently taken the wrong approach. Danielle Smith has failed Alberta — again. She thought her balls-and-parties tour of Mar-a-Lago and Washington D.C. would get Albertans a reprieve from devastating tariffs that will wreak havoc on our jobs, our industries, and our way of life. She failed," said Nenshi.

Smith, who is also Alberta's minister of intergovernmental relations, undertook a significant diplomatic campaign to avert or mitigate U.S. tariffs threatened by Trump — focusing on visits to Mar-a-Lago and Washington, D.C.

She was accused by some as being a traitor.

In January, Smith traveled to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida residence, meeting him twice — once on Saturday evening and again Sunday morning at his golf club — as a guest of Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary.

She described the discussions as “friendly and constructive,” emphasizing benefits of the U.S.-Canada energy relationship, particularly how Alberta’s energy exports support American jobs.

She also met with Trump allies, trying to build support for Alberta’s position against tariffs, which Trump had promised to set at 25% on Canadian goods due to trade deficit and border security issues.

Later, Smith attended Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. on January 20, using the occasion to host events and meet with energy groups, congresspeople, and officials.

She continued her outreach with plans to return twice more in February for the Republican Governors Convention and additional meetings, reinforcing her commitment to lobbying U.S. decision-makers.

Smith's strategy included highlighting the economic fallout of tariffs — projected to cost Alberta 52,000 jobs and shrink Canada’s GDP by 2.6% — while promoting Alberta’s oil and gas as a solution to U.S. energy needs, arguing that tariffs would raise costs for American consumers.

In the end, Trump said the U.S. doesn't need Canadian natural resources. He implemented tariffs.

“(Smith) ignored the threats to our sovereignty and genuinely thought that laughing at President Trump’s insults while schmoozing and taking selfies with Republican officials would help us," said Nenshi.

“She is wrong. Her strategy is wrong and her justifications are wrong. Taking Trump’s side over the past few months and abandoning the rest of Canada has led to the greatest threat to our economy and way of life we have ever seen."