Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney is urging the province to take a firmer stance as tensions escalate in the trade dispute with the United States. Kenney suggested that imposing export taxes on Alberta’s energy resources could be a strategic move to exert pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump. He emphasized the potential use of export taxes on critical exports like oil, gas, and potash if the situation escalates to the point of severe harm to Canada’s economy.
However, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith dismissed the idea of cutting energy exports to the U.S., describing it as harmful and impractical. The trade conflict between Canada and the U.S. intensified after failed negotiations led to Trump imposing 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada.
While Kenney ruled out the option of restricting energy exports to the U.S., he proposed the implementation of a modest tax to signal to the Trump administration the counterproductive nature of their actions. With over two-thirds of Alberta’s oil flowing to the U.S., Kenney highlighted the economic leverage this resource provides in the ongoing trade tensions.
In addition to energy, Kenney suggested that Alberta and Saskatchewan should consider restricting the sale of U.S. alcohol, a move that he believes has caught the attention of the White House. However, Premier Smith expressed reluctance towards banning U.S. alcohol imports and cautioned against hasty retaliatory tariffs.
On a separate note, Kenney and former premier Rachel Notley have joined forces to advocate for Alberta’s unity within Canada. Co-chairing a campaign by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the former political rivals aim to highlight the importance of a prosperous Alberta as part of the country. They emphasized the need for bipartisan unity in the face of an upcoming referendum on Alberta’s status within Canada.
Notley criticized the separatist undertones allegedly promoted by the UCP government and stressed the negative implications of the referendum amid the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. She emphasized the importance of constructive debate within a democratic framework once the referendum issue is resolved.
