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

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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.
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.

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

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.
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.
“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.
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