Smith says Donald Trump has ‘valid concerns’ after meeting with feds on tariffs

Alberta’s premier says president-elect Donald Trump has “valid concerns” and pledged to work aggressively to strengthen the province’s partnership with the incoming U.S. administration following an emergency ministers’ meeting on the threat of new import tariffs.

Smith released a statement after Wednesday’s meeting between the premiers and federal government officials, saying she opposes any tariffs but adding that Trump has reasons to be concerned over illegal immigration and drug smuggling at the Canada-U.S. border.

“It is my view that President Donald Trump and the tens of millions of Americans who voted for him, have valid concerns related to illegal migrants and drug smuggling at our shared border,” reads the statement.

“We know that the problem is much more serious at the Mexican-U.S. border, however, that does not diminish the need for the federal government and every province bordering the United States to take immediate steps to crack down heavily on these illegal border activities.”

Smith says her government will take urgent action to patrol Alberta’s shared border with Montana and said there will be announcements coming soon with more details.

She also says she made her thoughts on the border known to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the meeting, while also expressing to Trudeau that Canada needs to move faster to meet its NATO obligations.

Continue her ongoing battle with Ottawa over their proposed emissions cap, Smith also says she let it be known her displeasure with the federal government’s plans in the regard.

“Alberta is uniquely positioned in all of the world as the perfect partner to the U.S. in achieving that objective,” reads Smith’s statement. “It is therefore utter foolishness for the federal government to enact an energy production cap that would result in a massive curtailment of oil to the United States.”

Smith has called the proposed cap unconstitutional and has said her government challenge it when or if it comes into force.

The premiers met virtually Wednesday with Trudeau, along with Freeland, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn. The meeting came just 48 hours after Trump said he will impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports the same day he is sworn into office in January.

The premiers had requested a meeting on Monday, before Trump issued his latest tariff threat.

“I don’t want to minimize for a moment the gravity of the challenge we now face,” Freeland told reporters on Parliament Hill, shortly after the meeting ended.

She said Canadians should have confidence that while Canada depends on the United States, “the United States also depends on us.

– With files from the Canadian Press