Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is "counting down the days" until Justin Trudeau leaves office.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Smith said she hopes Trudeau does not continue "torching" Canada's relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump in terms of trade relations. Smith spoke with reporters after attending Trump's inauguration in Washington D.C.
The key takeaway from Smith's attendance was Trump offering Canada a reprieve from an immediate 25% tariff on Canadian goods entering the U.S. The reprieve may only be weeks.
In the meantime, Smith worries Trudeau may further compromise Canada's relationship with the Trump.
"Let's be super clear about why we find ourselves in this situation we are in today," said Smith. "It lands 100% at the feet of Justin Trudeau, who even just a few weeks ago gave a speech where he thought it was an affront to women that Kamala Harris didn't win."
Smith said Canada is in trade negotiations with a brand new administration — and it doesn't help that Trudeau "keeps on poking his finger in the eye" of the Americans.
"I am counting down the days to when he is gone and we can have a reset," said Smith. "All I can do is try to repair and build relationships that should have been repaired and built over the last four years."
Smith has also pushed back against Trudeau's willingness to used Alberta oil as a retaliatory bargaining chip if Trump moves forward with the tariffs.
"As I said, everything is on the table," said Trudeau in a press conference on Tuesday.
"I support the principle of dollar-for-dollar matching tariffs. It's something that we are absolutely going to be looking at."
Smith said Canada should work with the U.S. on points of contention — like border security and immigration. She emphasized positive diplomacy over aggression.
