China Understands ‘Divisions’ in Canada, Pitting Region Against Region With Targeted Tariffs: Alberta Premier Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces the "New North America Initiative," led by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy in Calgary, Alta., on May 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says China is exploiting Canadian divisions, retaliating against Ottawa’s electric vehicle tariffs largely intended to protect Eastern-based industry, by slapping tariffs on canola and other Western-produced products.

“I can only interpret that as the Chinese understand the divisions in our country. They understand that if you’re going to retaliate and create maximum pressure, you do it by pitting one region against the other,” Smith said at a press conference on May 16, in response to a question by The Epoch Times about China’s strategy.