Former chief negotiator says Alberta undermining Canada in tariff talks

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Alberta is undermining Canada’s attempts to prevent the U.S. from levying damaging tariffs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rallied most of the premiers to agree that all sectors of the Canadian economy could be deployed to fight back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Canada.

Read More:

• Canada leaning toward matching tariffs on U.S. — but not all premiers agree
• No sign Trump will back down, but retaliating not the answer: Smith
• Alberta’s Smith doubles down on diplomatic approach as U.S. tariffs expected Feb. 1

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said that Canada should not threaten the U.S. with retaliatory tariffs or cutting off energy exports, and should focus instead on finding common ground.

Verheul says Alberta “has significantly undermined Canada’s position” by breaking with the other premiers.

His comments, made at a Tuesday event held by the Toronto-based Empire Club, came before Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he had “an issue with” putting tariffs on energy exports and Quebec Premier François Legault said that should happen only with the provinces’ consent.

Smith’s office did not have an immediate response when asked to comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press