Alberta Premier Daniel Smith visited U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Saturday.
Smith confirmed the visit in a social media post Sunday morning, saying he had a “friendly and constructive conversation” with Trump.
“I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canada energy relationship, particularly how hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta,” Smith’s post said. It is written.
“I was also able to have similar discussions with several of the incoming administration’s key allies and was heartened to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.”
Other social media posts showed Smith posing for photos at his Palm Beach mansion with celebrity Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary and psychologist and media personality Jordan Peterson. are.
Over the past 24 hours, I had the opportunity to meet the President @RealDonaldTrump Last night at Mar-a-Lago and this morning at his golf club.
We had a friendly and constructive conversation in which I emphasized the mutual importance of U.S. and Canadian energy. pic.twitter.com/TPgCB8kATP
Smith announced in December that he would attend President Trump’s inauguration in Washington on January 20th.
In addition to attending the inauguration, Smith plans to host several events in Washington, where he hopes to meet with energy groups, lawmakers and various officials, a spokesperson said.
The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico if they did not take steps to address illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the United States.
Alberta responded to these threats by introducing a $29 million plan to create a border security team under the command of the Alberta Sheriff.
The team, which includes 51 officers as well as patrol dogs, surveillance drones and drug analysis equipment, is designed to thwart illegal border crossing attempts and attempts to bring drugs and firearms across the U.S. border. has been done.
Smith has previously said he does not support tariffs on Canadian or American products because they would make everyday life more expensive for Canadians and Americans.
Leaders in other states are taking different approaches to the issue. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has spoken out in international media against tariffs and President Trump’s threat to make Canada the 51st U.S. state.
The Ontario government has increased security measures along its border with the United States as part of its response to President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. As CBC’s Sean Jeffords reports, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has made several appearances in international media to make his point.
Last week, Ford proposed a “new strategic partnership” with Canada and the United States in the energy sector. Ontario and Manitoba have also instituted new border security measures.
Smith said Alberta is taking a diplomatic approach to avoid President Trump’s tariffs.
“On behalf of Albertans, I will continue to engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy with the incoming government and elected federal and provincial officials from both parties to advance the interests of Alberta and Canada,” Smith’s Sunday post said. I will do my best to do so.”
