Alberta Premier Danielle Smith travelled to Florida this weekend to meet with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach, Fla., resort.
The United Conservative Party leader posted photos of her visit, including ones with Trump and Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, on X, formerly Twitter, Sunday afternoon.
“We had a friendly and constructive conversation during which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canadian energy relationship, and specifically, how hundreds of thousands of American jobs are supported by energy exports from Alberta,” she wrote on the social media platform.
“I was also able to have similar discussions with several key allies of the incoming administration and was encouraged to hear their support for a strong energy and security relationship with Canada.”
Smith wrote that she will continue to engage in “constructive dialogue and diplomacy” with the Trump administration and other U.S. officials to further her province’s and Canada’s interests.
“The United States and Canada are both proud and independent nations with one of the most important security alliances on earth and the largest economic partnership in history,” she wrote. “We need to preserve our independence while we grow this critical partnership for the benefit of Canadians and Americans for generations to come.”
Trump, who will be sworn into office on Jan. 20, has threatened to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on all Canadian products.
He has also recently mused about using “economic force” to annex Canada and make it the 51st state.
