Premier Smith meets U.S. officials next week as trade tensions escalate
Alberta's leader heads to Tennessee to pitch diplomacy while lawmakers attend Midwest conference in Minnesota.
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Premier Danielle Smith is heading to Tennessee next week to meet with U.S. officials, adding to Alberta's diplomatic push during the escalating trade war between Canada and the United States.
Smith's press secretary confirmed Friday that the premier will use a previously planned personal trip to the U.S. to speak with the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the head of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and the CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. She'll be joined by Alberta's senior U.S. representative, Nathan Cooper.
The timing reflects Smith's stated position that Canada needs to "double down on diplomacy" rather than retaliate through tariffs. After trade talks between Canada and the U.S. fell apart last week, Smith said Wednesday that while the U.S. had "no excuse for their behaviour," Canada couldn't win through "brute force." She argued that Canadian officials must keep telling American counterparts that tariffs are destructive and promise help once they're reversed.
Alberta's efforts extend beyond the premier's trip. MLA Jennifer Johnson, a backbencher in Smith's caucus, is expected to attend the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwest annual Midwestern Legislative Conference next week in Saint Paul, Minnesota, alongside six members of Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's caucus. Saskatchewan is a full member of the CSG Midwest while Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario hold affiliate-member status. Johnson will be advocating for Alberta's interests around energy, trade and agriculture, with lawmakers from 11 U.S. states expected to attend the conference, which runs Sunday to Wednesday.
MLA Shane Getson has a separate upcoming mission to the Ports-to-Plains conference in Del Rio, Texas, as part of Alberta's broader outreach strategy.
What specific policy outcomes or tariff concessions is Alberta hoping to secure from these meetings?
How have previous diplomatic missions by Alberta lawmakers to the U.S. influenced trade negotiations?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who from Alberta is attending the Midwest Legislative Conference in Minnesota?
MLA Jennifer Johnson is expected to attend the Council of State Governments Midwest annual Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from Sunday, August 30 to Wednesday, September 2, 2026, to advocate for Alberta's interests in energy, trade and agriculture.
How many U.S. states will have lawmakers at the Minnesota conference?
Lawmakers from 11 U.S. states are expected to attend the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
