Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visited incoming U.S. President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Jan. 11, as well as at his golf club the following day. Her visit comes as threats of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports to the United States loom.
Smith, who appears with Trump and Canadian entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary in photos she posted on social media from the visit on Jan. 12, said she talked about the importance of the Canadian energy sector to the United States.
“We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S. - Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta,” she said.
She said she also met with “key allies” of the incoming Trump administration during her visit, adding that she was “encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.”
Smith said that both countries need to maintain their independence while strengthening their partnership. Trump has said on different occasions that he wishes for Canada to become part of the United States, and that he may use “economic force” to merge Canada with his country.
“The United States and Canada are both proud and independent nations with one of the most important security alliances on earth and the largest economic partnership in history,” Smith said. “We need to preserve our independence while we grow this critical partnership for the benefit of Canadians and Americans for generations to come.”
Smith has said she will be attending Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington on Jan. 20.
Trump has said his administration would impose 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports unless the country takes action to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States through its borders. So far, he has shown no sign of not proceeding with the tariffs.
In response to the tariffs, Ottawa has announced a $1.3 billion plan to strengthen border security, which includes creating special task forces, deploying more helicopters and drones and other tools. Finance Minister and former Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who still maintains a role in responding to the tariffs, has said he will not join the leadership race to focus on his role, as has Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly.
Trudeau travelled to Florida with LeBlanc to visit Trump in late November shortly after the president-elect announced he intends to impose tariffs on Canada.
