Because President Donald Trump’s tariffs have created uncertainty for the bilateral relationship. He said he has been able to make progress on the energy sector and how Canada can contribute to that, whether it’s our oil, our gas, key minerals, uranium from Saskatchewan, electricity from many of our provinces. Smith said while the energy argument has been successful, discussions are ongoing about other industries.
Alberta’s premier was in the U.S. capital this week for meetings and an energy forum as Trump doubled his tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada is a major supplier to the United States, and Canadian industry says a 50 percent tariff would be devastating. Smith said he has spoken to his U.S. counterparts about the issue. The United States imports 60 percent of its aluminum from Canada.

Canadian industry relies heavily on hydroelectric power to offset the high energy costs associated with smelting. Smith said the U.S. doesn’t have the capacity to develop domestic industry to fill the gap. Despite domestic talk of Western secession and Alberta secession, Smith said the issue hasn’t come up in Washington.
Asked about tariffs on Canada during a U.S. Senate hearing on Wednesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik pointed to the trilateral agreement, saying imports that comply with Kusma remain tariff-free. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who met with Lutnik in Washington on Tuesday, said he hopes to reach the best outcome for Canadians. Carney and Trump will join the leaders of France, Germany, Japan, Britain, Italy and the European Union at the G7 summit in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has also been invited to attend.