Alberta premier says CUSMA deal shouldn't trigger 'panic'

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the art of dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump is to stop panicking every time a new tariff is threatened, speaking Monday at the New North America Summit in Calgary.

With a July 1 deadline looming for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement known as CUSMA, Smith urged negotiators to recognize Trump's negotiating style: laying out ambitious initial positions before settling for acceptable terms.

"He always had a plan A, a plan B and plan C — all of which benefited him," Smith said. "He has his moon shot, but he also has a 'this is pretty good,' and then he has an 'I'll settle for this.'"

She added that Canada's typical response—public alarm and strong statements—plays into this strategy. "We panic and freak out with ads and overwrought commentary, but that is just a negotiating style that he has. I think we're now beginning to settle down and realize there is a way for us to get to a win-win."

Smith, who met with Trump twice in 2025, argued that both nations benefit from strong trade ties. Alberta exported more than $150 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year. But on-again, off-again tariffs are damaging "one of the most important trade and security alliances on earth," driving up costs on both sides of the border.

Smith also flagged Canada's GST as a sore point for U.S. negotiators, who view sales taxes as tariffs on American goods crossing the border.