Alberta Premier Danielle Smith renewed her call for closer economic ties between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Speaking at the New North American Summit in Calgary, Smith reiterated themes she has advanced repeatedly over the past year, including the need for greater North American energy co-operation, expanded market access for Alberta resources and a stable trading relationship under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
Smith said Alberta will continue pressing for the removal of U.S. tariffs and for stronger economic ties with both Washington and Mexico City as CUSMA approaches a scheduled review next month. She argued that tariffs increase costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border and weaken a trading relationship that has existed for decades.
The premier said Alberta exported about $152 billion worth of goods to the United States last year and that trade with the province supports approximately 94,000 American jobs. She also noted that trade between Alberta and the United States exceeded US$170 billion, while Alberta-Mexico trade totalled roughly $3 billion.
Much of Smith’s address focused on Alberta’s role as an energy producer. She again promoted what she calls “North American energy dominance,” a phrase she has used in speeches and interviews over the past year when discussing Alberta’s relationship with the United States.
Smith said Alberta remains a major supplier of oil and natural gas to the United States and argued the province is positioned to become a larger source of critical minerals needed for energy, manufacturing and technology industries. She said Alberta has an estimated 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent and significant deposits of rare earth elements, uranium and other minerals.
Following her speech, Smith said provincial governments have become increasingly important participants in Canada-U.S. relations because many trade-related issues fall under provincial jurisdiction, particularly in natural resources.
She also defended Alberta’s direct engagement with U.S. officials and repeated arguments she has made previously about the importance of framing Canada’s economic relationship with the United States in terms of benefits to American consumers and businesses.
The summit brought together business leaders, academics and policymakers from across North America to discuss trade, energy security and economic growth.