Alberta Premier Smith makes rounds on U.S. TV news shows to defend new booze rules

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fighting back as the trade war between the United States and Canada heats up. CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski reports.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made the rounds on U.S. TV networks Thursday, telling Americans that Canada has to look out for itself in the tariff war.

Alberta and other provinces have announced they will stop buying American alcohol and halt contracting with U.S. companies in response to sweeping tariffs imposed earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The purpose of (tariffs) is so that American businesses buy fewer Canadian products,” Smith told CNN.

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“So our reaction is: if the Americans aren’t going to buy products from our Canadian companies, we have to.”

Smith made the comments in reaction to the interviewer pointing out that an American whiskey-maker has called Canada’s countermoves a disproportionate response.

Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman Corp., the maker of Jack Daniels, said the decision by Canadian provinces to take U.S. whiskeys off shelves is “worse than a tariff.”

Alberta estimates about $292 million in U.S. liquor products was sold in the province in 2023-24.

Smith reiterated the point later on Fox News, calling it the “logical” thing for Canadians to do.

“We’re just trying to be supportive of our own industries and our own businesses,” she said.

She also noted that the tariff war is hurting financial markets and leading to American job losses.

“Let’s get back to having that tariff-free relationship as soon as possible,” she said.

Also Thursday, the province laid out the details of the alcohol ban. Alberta liquor stores are private but must buy from the province’s Alberta Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis agency. The agency told retailers it will no longer accept American liquor products.

Products shipped from the U.S. after Tuesday will be hit with a 25 per cent surcharge.

Retailers can continue selling their stock of U.S. booze, but the government distributor won’t accept returns.

Smith’s government, along with its agencies, school boards, Crown corporations and municipalities, is prioritizing buying goods and services from suppliers in Alberta, Canada or other jurisdictions that honour Canada’s trade agreements.

“If our Canadian companies are going to be heard, it’s the best way we can help them — to redirect our purchasing,” said Smith.

Two days ago, Trump slapped 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 per cent levies on energy. He has said the tariffs are to motivate Canada to take action on cross-border drug traffic.

Smith has pushed back, saying Americans have to do their part and not just blame their northern neighbours.

“If you think it’s just Canada and Mexico, you’d have to believe there are no drug cartels or organized crime or meth labs in the United States. We know that to not be true,” she said, pointing to drugs being seized moving north into Canada.

After putting $29 million into beefing up Alberta’s border security, Smith said: “Our province has really met the objectives.”

By Lisa Johnson

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.