Alberta Premier Danielle Smith provides an update on the province’s response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, March 5, 2025. Photo by Chris Schwarz/Government of Alberta/Flickr.

Where do Danielle Smith’s loyalties lie? People asked this question after she revealed on MAGA-aligned media that she counselled Trump officials to pause the tariffs until after Canada’s federal election is over. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is close to Trump’s agenda, she said, but the trade war is boosting Liberal support.

Trump changes his mind hourly, but the tariffs against Canada will likely be imposed on April 2. The issue isn’t whether Smith swayed Trump. It’s about where her loyalties lie.

Being offside with Team Canada is not new for Smith. In January, she undermined Canada’s bargaining position by breaking ranks with all other premiers and the prime minister when she balked at signing their joint tariff statement. Smith vehemently refused to include Canada’s strongest bargaining chip in its retaliation arsenal—an export tax on oil.

Does this mean Smith is disloyal? To be charitable, perhaps it is not that she doesn’t love her country, but that she loves Big Oil more. Smith first........

© Canadian Dimension