Advertisement 1

Premier Danielle Smith goes to Washington: Inside Alberta's charm offensive to Trump's tariffs

Article content

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As thousands rallied against incoming U.S. President Donald Trump with a “peace tank” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith flew in to a chilled, subdued inauguration, bringing a message of “unprecedented opportunity.”

It was the apex of a controversial week for Smith, who in recent days met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and then clashed with her fellow premiers, refusing to sign a “joint declaration of unity” in the face of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian products promised by Trump.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

Championing Alberta as the largest exporter of oil and gas to the U.S., Smith said she’s highlighting an opportunity for Alberta to work collaboratively with the new administration to develop secure supply chains and strengthen energy security for the U.S. and Canada.

The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner. In 2023, Alberta’s exports to its southern neighbour totalled US$115.6 billion, accounting for about 90 per cent of total provincial exports. Of that, energy products accounted for about US$94.4 billion.

Washington Trump inauguration
Stacks of metal barriers are seen along the National Mall outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. Due to cold, Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in a rare indoor ceremony. Photo by Eric Thayer /Getty Images

Boots on the ground — and at the ball

The traditional outdoor inauguration on the Capitol steps and ensuing inauguration parade scheduled for Monday were cancelled amid Alberta-style temperatures.

Security tightened by the hour around the U.S. Capitol and the White House, with the oath-of-office ceremony moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda.

Despite the chill, Smith waded into the D.C. milieu, buoyed by a loaded schedule and plans to connect with governors, members of Congress and private sector leaders during a five-day visit.

She declined interviews and photo requests on Sunday, but in a media release said Alberta’s on-the-ground presence is expected to build relationships and start critical conversations. The idea is to lay the groundwork for collaboration and reap benefits for Albertans, Canadians and Americans, she said.

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

“Given the serious threats of tariffs, it is imperative that we do everything we can to engage directly with the incoming administration, members of Congress and key officials to emphasize Alberta’s critical role in North American energy security and economic prosperity,” Smith said in the release.

According to a general itinerary, her schedule includes a number of festivities planned around the Inauguration.

These included ballgown- and tuxedo-style events, with dinner and cocktails among people and organizations Smith has already courted, such as the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, the Western Governors Association, and the Republican Governors.

Her scheduled events included Saturday’s Florida-hosted Sunshine Ball, a meeting with “energy sector leaders,” and Sunday’s Texas State Society’s Black Tie and Boots ball.

With the outdoor festivities cancelled, it’s unclear where Smith plans to watch the inauguration itself on Monday morning. However, her schedule that day does include an Inauguration Day event at the Canadian Embassy, followed by the Republican Governors’ Association evening reception — a group that includes just over half of the U.S. governors.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

Article content

Tuesday’s itinerary features get-togethers with U.S. governors and industry leaders, and a roundtable discussion with unnamed “thought leaders.” More meetings are on tap Wednesday with “U.S. decision makers and elected officials,” as well as a “networking event focused on solutions for responsible energy development.”

Smith’s visit coincides with the launch of a new webpage promoting Alberta as the answer to North American energy, food, and data security.

“In all my meetings and events in Washington, D.C., I will work to ensure Alberta is recognized as a partner of choice for establishing North American energy security, to reinforce our century-long friendship and to further solidify our trade relationship that greatly benefits both Americans and Canadians,” she said Friday.

“With the ongoing threat of tariffs on all Canadian products, including those from Alberta’s leading industries, meeting with officials face-to-face is crucial. This work is a continuation of the efforts that were discussed by all premiers to do all they could to build bridges with the U.S.”

Advertisement 5
Story continues below
Article content

Smith’s expenses will be posted on the province’s travel and expense disclosure page, the release said.

Washington Trump inauguration
A member of the military stands by a Humvee on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, D.C., ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president. Photo by Christopher Furlong /Getty Images

All eyes on D.C.

As the premier went about her schedule over the weekend and festivities ramped up around Washington, security forces were all business.

Large, gleaming black SUVs bearing dignitaries moved among swirling police lights amid road closures cutting off visitors from many traditional landmarks.

An estimated 25,000 law enforcement and military personnel came to town to provide security, including 7,800 National Guard troops and some 4,000 officers from as far away as Florida, according to the Voice of America service.

Anybody possessing one of the 250,000 free tickets for the cancelled activities was encouraged to consider it “commemorative” and told by police they were no longer allowed to gather outside the Capitol. Many had non-refundable, top-dollar ramped-up hotel bills at four times the usual rate to go with the disappointment.

Washingtonians were widely reported to be staying away from the pomp and circumstance and traffic snarls, in part perhaps because Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris handily won the district with more than 92 per cent of the vote in November’s presidential election.

Advertisement 6
Story continues below
Article content

Around the abandoned parade route of Pennsylvania Avenue, festooned with American flags, there was still evidence of the homelessness endemic to many North American cities.

On a green space beside the exquisite architecture of the Canadian embassy, an unhoused man slept rough on a bench near a neat row of portable toilets put out for the ticketed crowds who would be kept?out of the area instead.

There were plans to televise the event for some attendees at the nearby Capital One arena about 15 blocks away. The venue has been offered to incoming administrations for post-inaugural celebrations on a non-partisan basis for decades.

It’s been 40 years since cold curtailed the outdoor inauguration activities of then-president Ronald Reagan.

Some Canadian memes on social media mocked Trump as afraid of the cold; others vowed to boycott broadcasts of the ceremony.

But one Canadian who showed up at the Canadian embassy welcomed the change in administration — and then some.

Menno Kay of British Columbia said he came for the inauguration with his grown son and a group of more than a dozen business people to seize on Trump’s rhetoric of more radical change.

Advertisement 7
Story continues below
Article content

“We’re actually very interested also in becoming the 51st state, as was proposed,” said Kay, who hoped for a meeting with the Canadian ambassador.

Envisioning a context where individual provinces could become states, the Vancouver resident said he is dissatisfied with outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“We’re proud Canadians, OK? We want the best for Canada,” he said.

jcarcmichael@postmedia.com

Recommended from Editorial
  1. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith poses with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and businessman Kevin O'Leary in Mar-a-Lago, Fla.
    'Tariffs are coming': Smith says Trump determined on tariffs after Mar-a-Lago meeting
  2. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
    Alberta rejects Team Canada fight on Trump tariffs

Bookmark our website and support our journalism:?Don’t miss the news you need to know — add?EdmontonJournal.com?and?EdmontonSun.com?to your bookmarks and?sign up for our newsletters here.

You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today:?The Edmonton Journal?|?The Edmonton Sun.

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    universo-virtual.com
    buytrendz.net
    thisforall.net
    benchpressgains.com
    qthzb.com
    mindhunter9.com
    dwjqp1.com
    secure-signup.net
    ahaayy.com
    soxtry.com
    tressesindia.com
    puresybian.com
    krpano-chs.com
    cre8workshop.com
    hdkino.org
    peixun021.com
    qz786.com
    utahperformingartscenter.org
    maw-pr.com
    zaaksen.com
    ypxsptbfd7.com
    worldqrmconference.com
    shangyuwh.com
    eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
    playminecraftfreeonline.com
    trekvietnamtour.com
    your-business-articles.com
    essaywritingservice10.com
    hindusamaaj.com
    joggingvideo.com
    wandercoups.com
    onlinenewsofindia.com
    worldgraphic-team.com
    bnsrz.com
    wormblaster.net
    tongchengchuyange0004.com
    internetknowing.com
    breachurch.com
    peachesnginburlesque.com
    dataarchitectoo.com
    clientfunnelformula.com
    30pps.com
    cherylroll.com
    ks2252.com
    webmanicura.com
    osostore.com
    softsmob.com
    sofietsshotel.com
    facetorch.com
    nylawyerreview.com
    apapromotions.com
    shareparelli.com
    goeaglepointe.com
    thegreenmanpubphuket.com
    karotorossian.com
    publicsensor.com
    taiwandefence.com
    epcsur.com
    odskc.com
    inzziln.info
    leaiiln.info
    cq-oa.com
    dqtianshun.com
    southstills.com
    tvtv98.com
    thewellington-hotel.com
    bccaipiao.com
    colectoresindustrialesgs.com
    shenanddcg.com
    capriartfilmfestival.com
    replicabreitlingsale.com
    thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
    gkmcww.com
    mbnkbj.com
    andrewbrennandesign.com
    cod54.com
    luobinzhang.com
    bartoysdirect.com
    taquerialoscompadresdc.com
    aaoodln.info
    amcckln.info
    drvrnln.info
    dwabmln.info
    fcsjoln.info
    hlonxln.info
    kcmeiln.info
    kplrrln.info
    fatcatoons.com
    91guoys.com
    signupforfreehosting.com
    faithfirst.net
    zjyc28.com
    tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
    nhuan6.com
    oldgardensflowers.com
    lightupthefloor.com
    bahamamamas-stjohns.com
    ly2818.com
    905onthebay.com
    fonemenu.com
    notanothermovie.com
    ukrainehighclassescort.com
    meincmagazine.com
    av-5858.com
    yallerdawg.com
    donkeythemovie.com
    corporatehospitalitygroup.com
    boboyy88.com
    miteinander-lernen.com
    dannayconsulting.com
    officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
    forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
    generictadalafil-canada.net
    guitarlessonseastlondon.com
    lesliesrestaurants.com
    mattyno9.com
    nri-homeloans.com
    rtgvisas-qatar.com
    salbutamolventolinonline.net
    sportsinjuries.info
    topsedu.xyz
    xmxm7.com
    x332.xyz
    sportstrainingblog.com
    autopartspares.com
    readguy.net
    soniasegreto.com
    bobbygdavis.com
    wedsna.com
    rgkntk.com
    bkkmarketplace.com
    zxqcwx.com
    breakupprogram.com
    boxcardc.com
    unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
    fabulousbookmark.com
    beat-the.com
    guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
    magie-marketing.com
    kingstonliteracy.com
    guitaraffinity.com
    eurelookinggoodapparel.com
    howtolosecheekfat.net
    marioncma.org
    oliviadavismusic.com
    shantelcampbellrealestate.com
    shopleborn13.com
    topindiafree.com
    v-visitors.net
    qazwsxedcokmijn.com
    parabis.net
    terriesandelin.com
    luxuryhomme.com
    studyexpanse.com
    ronoom.com
    djjky.com
    053hh.com
    originbluei.com
    baucishotel.com
    33kkn.com
    intrinsiqresearch.com
    mariaescort-kiev.com
    mymaguk.com
    sponsored4u.com
    crimsonclass.com
    bataillenavale.com
    searchtile.com
    ze-stribrnych-struh.com
    zenithalhype.com
    modalpkv.com
    bouisset-lafforgue.com
    useupload.com
    37r.net
    autoankauf-muenster.com
    bantinbongda.net
    bilgius.com
    brabustermagazine.com
    indigrow.org
    miicrosofts.net
    mysmiletravel.com
    selinasims.com
    spellcubesapp.com
    usa-faction.com
    snn01.com
    hope-kelley.com
    bancodeprofissionais.com
    zjccp99.com
    liturgycreator.com
    weedsmj.com
    majorelenco.com
    colcollect.com
    androidnews-jp.com
    hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
    dailyupdatez.com
    foodphotographyreviews.com
    cricutcom-setup.com
    chprowebdesign.com
    katyrealty-kanepa.com
    tasramar.com
    bilgipinari.org
    four-am.com
    indiarepublicday.com
    inquick-enbooks.com
    iracmpi.com
    kakaschoenen.com
    lsm99flash.com
    nana1255.com
    ngen-niagara.com
    technwzs.com
    virtualonlinecasino1345.com
    wallpapertop.net
    nova-click.com
    abeautifulcrazylife.com
    diggmobile.com
    denochemexicana.com
    eventhalfkg.com
    medcon-taiwan.com
    life-himawari.com
    myriamshomes.com
    nightmarevue.com
    allstarsru.com
    bestofthebuckeyestate.com
    bestofthefirststate.com
    bestwireless7.com
    declarationintermittent.com
    findhereall.com
    jingyou888.com
    lsm99deal.com
    lsm99galaxy.com
    moozatech.com
    nuagh.com
    patliyo.com
    philomenamagikz.net
    rckouba.net
    saturnunipessoallda.com
    tallahasseefrolics.com
    thematurehardcore.net
    totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
    velislavakaymakanova.com
    vermontenergetic.com
    sizam-design.com
    kakakpintar.com
    begorgeouslady.com
    1800birks4u.com
    2wheelstogo.com
    6strip4you.com
    bigdata-world.net
    emailandco.net
    gacapal.com
    jharpost.com
    krishnaastro.com
    lsm99credit.com
    mascalzonicampani.com
    sitemapxml.org
    thecityslums.net
    topagh.com
    flairnetwebdesign.com
    bangkaeair.com
    beneventocoupon.com
    noternet.org
    oqtive.com
    smilebrightrx.com
    decollage-etiquette.com
    1millionbestdownloads.com
    7658.info
    bidbass.com
    devlopworldtech.com
    digitalmarketingrajkot.com
    fluginfo.net
    naqlafshk.com
    passion-decouverte.com
    playsirius.com
    spacceleratorintl.com
    stikyballs.com
    top10way.com
    yokidsyogurt.com
    zszyhl.com
    16firthcrescent.com
    abogadolaboralistamd.com
    apk2wap.com
    aromacremeria.com
    banparacard.com
    bosmanraws.com
    businessproviderblog.com
    caltonosa.com
    calvaryrevivalchurch.org
    chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
    cheminotsgardcevennes.com
    cooksspot.com
    cqxzpt.com
    deesywig.com
    deltacartoonmaps.com
    despixelsetdeshommes.com
    duocoracaobrasileiro.com
    fareshopbd.com
    goodpainspills.com
    kobisitecdn.com
    makaigoods.com
    mgs1454.com
    piccadillyresidences.com
    radiolaondafresca.com
    rubendorf.com
    searchengineimprov.com
    sellmyhrvahome.com
    shugahouseessentials.com
    sonihullquad.com
    subtractkilos.com
    valeriekelmansky.com
    vipasdigitalmarketing.com
    voolivrerj.com
    zeelonggroup.com
    1015southrockhill.com
    10x10b.com
    111-online-casinos.com
    191cb.com
    3665arpentunitd.com
    aitesonics.com
    bag-shokunin.com
    brightotech.com
    communication-digitale-services.com
    covoakland.org
    dariaprimapack.com
    freefortniteaccountss.com
    gatebizglobal.com
    global1entertainmentnews.com
    greatytene.com
    hiroshiwakita.com
    iktodaypk.com
    jahatsakong.com
    meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
    newsbharati.net
    platinumstudiosdesign.com
    slotxogamesplay.com
    strikestaruk.com
    trucosdefortnite.com
    ufabetrune.com
    weddedtowhitmore.com
    12940brycecanyonunitb.com
    1311dietrichoaks.com
    2monarchtraceunit303.com
    601legendhill.com
    850elaine.com
    adieusolasomade.com
    andora-ke.com
    bestslotxogames.com
    cannagomcallen.com
    endlesslyhot.com
    iestpjva.com
    ouqprint.com
    pwmaplefest.com
    qtylmr.com
    rb88betting.com
    buscadogues.com
    1007macfm.com
    born-wild.com
    growthinvests.com
    promocode-casino.com
    proyectogalgoargentina.com
    wbthompson-art.com
    whitemountainwheels.com
    7thavehvl.com
    developmethis.com
    funkydogbowties.com
    travelodgegrandjunction.com
    gao-town.com
    globalmarketsuite.com
    blogshippo.com
    hdbka.com
    proboards67.com
    outletonline-michaelkors.com
    kalkis-research.com
    thuthuatit.net
    buckcash.com
    hollistercanada.com
    docterror.com
    asadart.com
    vmayke.org
    erwincomputers.com
    dirimart.org
    okkii.com
    loteriasdecehegin.com
    mountanalog.com
    healingtaobritain.com
    ttxmonitor.com
    bamthemes.com
    nwordpress.com
    11bolabonanza.com
    avgo.top