Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t want to be “exuberant about dodging the bullet” with U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement but that it might push a trade agreement renegotiation until after the April 28 federal election. Read More
Smith said a renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement could be pushed until after the election, something she deemed ‘very positive’
Smith said a renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement could be pushed until after the election, something she deemed ‘very positive’
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t want to be “exuberant about dodging the bullet” with U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement but that it might push a trade agreement renegotiation until after the April 28 federal election.
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The Trump administration went ahead Thursday with 25 per cent levies on all auto imports, which adds to existing 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.
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Canadian goods imported under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA, remain spared from tariffs, though imports outside the pact will be hit with 25 per cent levies, including 10 per cent for energy.
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Smith told a room of business leaders in downtown Calgary many sectors will still be hurt.
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“It’s hard for me to celebrate,” she said Thursday. She pointed to a “devastating” impact on the forestry industry, and for steel, aluminum and autoworkers.
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She said a renegotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement could be pushed until after the election, something she deemed “very positive.”
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Her comments come one day after she faced criticism for calling the latest development in the trade war an “important win” for Alberta and Canada.
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For dozens of other countries, fresh import duties on goods to the U.S. will be 10 per cent or higher.
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On Wednesday, Smith acknowledged there is still work to be done across Canada to eliminate the remaining tariffs and support affected workers. But Smith said: “It appears the worst of the tariff dispute is behind us.”
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She added most Canadian goods sold to the U.S. will enjoy unencumbered trade for now.
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“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.”
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That sparked Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to quip that Canada got a reprieve compared to other countries, but “this is no time for victory laps.”
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“It will hurt a lot of workers. It will hurt a lot of small, medium and large businesses. It will cripple Canadian industries,” he said.
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James Moore, a cabinet minister under former prime minister Stephen Harper, weighed in on social media, pointing out that thousands of Canadians may lose their jobs.
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“With respect premier, this is not a good day for Canada or the world,” he said.
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On Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will hit back with matching levies on vehicles imported from the United States.