Showcasing improved border protection could curtail Trump tariffs: Smith

Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Wednesday that showcasing Canada’s stepped-up efforts to protect its border from drugs and illegal migrants could help the country avoid the looming 25 per cent tariffs promised by U.S. President Donald Trump that could come into effect as soon as Saturday.

Smith said crews from Trump’s favoured Fox News television network have been at the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta to highlight Canada’s efforts to improve border security. “We want to ensure that the American people along with their president and elected representatives know that action is being taken on this issue,” Smith said. “We are hopeful that these Fox News appearances display our province’s and our nation’s commitment.



” Smith cited remarks made earlier in the day by Howard Lutnick — the CEO of a finance services company and Trump’s pick to lead the department of commerce — indicating that Canada could avoid tariffs if it continues its efforts to secure its border with the U.S. “If we are your biggest trading partner, show us the respect, shut your border,” he said during his confirmation hearing in Washington.

“This is a separate tariff to create action from Mexico and action from Canada, and as far as I know, they are acting swiftly, and if they execute it, there will be no tariff. And, if they don’t, then there will be.” But, a day earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday’s date for tariffs to come into effect remained on schedule.

“The Feb. 1 date for Canada and Mexico still holds.” Smith said Wednesday it was important to demonstrate to the Americans that Canada takes its border integrity seriously, noting the newly additional presence of a Black Hawk helicopter patrolling the Alberta- U.

S border as well as Alberta’s own efforts along with those of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec to secure the border in addition to the work of the Canada Border Services Agency. “Everybody’s come to the realization, that especially what we’ve seen in the last week is show me, don’t tell me, and so now, we’re showing.” Figures from U.

S. Customs and Border Protection show that fentanyl seizures and encounters with undocumented persons are relatively rare along Alberta’s U.S.

border compared to more eastern parts of the border. Authorities seized 2.67 pounds of fentanyl along the Canada and Montana border in the 2024 fiscal year and about half a pound to date in the current fiscal year.

Premier meets with Wilkinson Earlier Wednesday, Smith met first with other first ministers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and then later in the day with federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson who was in Calgary for a separate announcement. Wilkinson said the federal government is still considering its response to potential tariffs, but that any government actions will depend on the nature and timing of the tariffs, should they come on Saturday. “The initial response will be to focus on American products that are coming into Canada for which consumers here actually have choices to ensure that we are creating pressure in the United States to have the president change his mind,” he said.

He added that any such response would require a “thoughtful conversation” with provinces and territories before Ottawa takes action. “We’re going to have to look at all of the different options, but they will all have to be seen through the prism of regional fairness and through not doing things that are going to create long-term problems for us,” he said. “It cannot single out a particular province or a particular region.

” Wilkinson said he will travel to Washington in the coming days to pitch U.S. lawmakers on why tariffs would be bad for both countries, saying U.

S. consumers could face higher prices for food, fuel, and electricity should the tariffs come into effect. Until any cross-border levies are actually announced, he said Ottawa will continue to weigh its options.

“At this point, we don’t even know what the tariffs may look like.” [email protected].