Alberta’s Smith to meet with U.S. officials next week amid trade war

**Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to Meet U.S. Officials Amid Ongoing Trade Dispute**

*Edmonton, Alberta – August 28, 2026* – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to meet with a delegation of United States officials next week, a move that comes as Canada and the United States continue to grapple with unresolved trade tensions.

Smith’s press secretary, Sam Blackett, confirmed that the premier’s upcoming trip, originally planned as a personal visit to the United States, will include formal meetings with senior U.S. representatives. The delegation will be accompanied by Alberta’s senior U.S. liaison, Nathan Cooper.

According to Blackett, the agenda includes discussions with the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the head of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and the chief executive officer of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation.

In remarks made on Wednesday, following the collapse of Canada‑U.S. trade talks the previous week, Smith said the United States had “no excuse for their behaviour.” She added that Canada could not rely on “brute force” to resolve the dispute, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic engagement. “Canadian officials need to keep telling their American counterparts that tariffs are destructive and promise to help once they are reversed,” Smith said.

The premier’s outreach aligns with Alberta’s broader participation in U.S. intergovernmental organizations. Alberta is an affiliate member of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwest, with Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jennifer Johnson serving as the province’s representative. Blackett noted that Johnson will attend the CSG’s annual Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from Sunday to Wednesday, alongside six members of Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s caucus.

Saskatchewan, a full member of the CSG Midwest, will also send a delegation that includes Agriculture Minister David Marit, Rural Health Minister Lori Carr, Legislative Assembly Speaker Todd Goudy, and three Saskatchewan Party backbenchers. Marit, who attended a related conference in Wisconsin last month, said the majority of U.S. states present have expressed support for maintaining the Canada‑U.S‑Mexico trade agreement. “From an agriculture perspective, a lot of the states are on‑side,” he said.

The conference is expected to draw lawmakers from eleven U.S. states, providing a platform for provincial leaders to advocate for shared priorities in energy, trade, and agriculture.

The report was first published by The Canadian Press on August 28, 2026. © 2026 The Canadian Press.

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