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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Faces Backlash Over Comments on U.S. Tariffs

Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith is under scrutiny following remarks made during a recent interview with the American right-wing news organization Breitbart. During the discussion, Smith suggested that she had urged the Trump administration to postpone tariffs until after Canada’s federal election, arguing that the ongoing trade conflict was inadvertently aiding the Liberal Party in the polls.

In an interview conducted by Matthew Boyle on March 8, Smith expressed concern that the tariffs imposed by the United States were detrimental to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre’s prospects for becoming prime minister. She articulated her views, stating: “Because of what we see as unjust and unfair tariffs, it’s actually caused an increase in support for the Liberals. And so that’s what I fear — is that the longer this dispute goes on, politicians posture and it seems to be benefiting the Liberals right now.”

Smith went on to relay her hope that the administration would pause these tariffs, remarking, “Let’s just put things on pause so we can get through an election. Let’s have the best person at the table make the argument for how they would deal with that, and I think that’s Pierre Poilievre.”

Political observers have noted that Smith’s comments could complicate Poilievre’s efforts to maintain a distance from Trump and the Republican Party. Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University in Calgary, commented that Smith may prove to be a significant liability for Poilievre. “Danielle Smith has made Pierre Poilievre’s ability to appeal to moderate Conservatives, or moderate Canadians or swing voters, a bit more difficult,” she remarked.

When pressed for a response to Smith’s remarks, Poilievre sidestepped specific comments but acknowledged that Trump had previously suggested it might be easier to negotiate with a Liberal than with him.

Recent polls indicate that the Conservative Party’s lead in voter support has diminished as the Trump-related trade issue gains prominence among Canadian voters. According to a new Ipsos Public Affairs poll published last week, if a federal election were conducted today, the Liberal Party would capture 42 percent of the decided voter base, compared to 36 percent for the Conservatives, marking a seven-point increase for the Liberals over just three weeks.

As the Conservative Party adjusts its messaging amid rising Canadian nationalism in response to Trump’s aggressive trade rhetoric, Poilievre has shifted his tone to one that emphasizes positivity and Canadian unity, moving away from his previous critiques of Canadian governance.

In her interview, Smith also critiqued former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, claiming he had placed Canada in a difficult position following a visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate after the last U.S. election. She stated that Trudeau’s failure to ensure Canada met NATO military spending targets and his characterization of Canada’s economic state gave off an impression of weakness.

Williams remarked that Smith’s call for a pause on tariffs represents another misstep. She argued that Smith’s assertion that Poilievre’s views align with those of the Trump administration puts him in a challenging position, undermining his claim that Trump does not support his leadership.

Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized Smith for prioritizing political maneuvering over the collective interests of Canadians, asserting that calling for a pause on tariffs for party gain is not a responsible approach. He stated, “Standing firm for Canada is what we need.”

The Liberal Party has begun to leverage Smith’s remarks as part of their electoral strategy. Liberal Leader Mark Carney noted Smith’s alignment of Poilievre with Trump, framing it as a decision that voters must consider.

In response to the backlash, Smith’s office issued a statement asserting that any accusations suggesting she encouraged U.S. interference in Canadian electoral processes are unfounded. Smith reiterated her collaborative efforts with other provincial leaders to convey the adverse impacts of tariffs and emphasized the need for a constructive renegotiation of trade agreements following the election.

Smith was slated to deliver an unrelated announcement at the University of Alberta, which was postponed amidst the ongoing controversy.

Source
globalnews.ca