Danielle Smith ‘understands we need unity’

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith understands why Canadian political leaders need to unite in the face of the threat posed by United States President Donald Trump, and believes the country’s premiers are “moving” her to her position.

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The prime ministers met alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday morning to discuss Trump’s first steps as president and the impending threat of tariffs, which could come as soon as next week.

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Trump signed an executive order on Monday ordering his government to study unfair trade practices between Canada and Mexico and submit a report by April 1.

Later that day, he considered imposing 25 percent tariffs on both countries on February 1, calling Canada the “worst abuser” for allowing illegal drugs and immigrants to enter the US.

Canada has backed down from Trump and Trudeau’s assertions on Tuesday that less than 1 percent of fentanyl or immigrants entering the US come from Canada.

Speaking to reporters in Toronto after Wednesday’s meeting, Ford said the group wants to make sure Canada has a “strong plan.”

“We know these tariffs are coming on February 1. We need to match those tariffs dollar-for-dollar, tariff-for-tariff, and make sure they hurt Americans as much as they hurt Canadians,” he said.

The Federal Liberal cabinet spent two days back and forth this week detailing the cost response plan. Trump has been threatening since the November election that he would impose tariffs on his first day in office.

Trump’s changing rhetoric and timing is par for the course, Trudeau told reporters Tuesday. He said his government has made contingency plans and is ready to use retaliatory measures.

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At their last meeting, held in person in Ottawa last week, 12 of the 13 prime ministers signed a joint statement pledging to stand together in the face of the threat of tariffs.

Prime Minister Smith was the only one to come out, saying that he would not be able to get in the way of “Team Canada” if the federal government refused to release force exports from its retaliation.

In the days since, he has again distanced himself from the group by meeting with US lawmakers and asking for cooperation instead of retaliation.

On Wednesday, Ford said Smith “understands that we need unity, and I understand that he wants to protect his core assets.”

“But the world comes first, more than anything else, and you can’t throw a tool away from the toolbox,” he added.

When asked if Smith was on the sidelines with his teammates, Ford said, “I think we’re moving him.”

Smith posted on social media Wednesday afternoon that banning or imposing tariffs on US oil exports “would be catastrophic for Canada.”

He called on Canada to improve border security and increase defense spending.

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When he first threatened to impose tariffs, Trump said they were the answer to what he called the inaction of Canada and Mexico on illegal drugs and immigrants entering the US.

The federal government announced a $1.3 billion plan to beef up border security in December, and this week the RCMP deployed two helicopters to patrol the border.

But Trump also said the tariffs are a way to put pressure on Canada because of the United States’ trade deficit with this country.

Smith said Canada should work to correct the trade imbalance.

“Let’s dial back the rhetoric and focus on negotiated solutions that benefit Canadians and Americans,” Smith wrote.

On Tuesday, Arlene Dickinson, the star of “Dragon’s Den” and a member of the prime minister’s advisory panel on Canada-US relations, said she hoped Smith would come forward.

“I think it’s very important that we have a comprehensive discussion as one nation,” he told reporters at the cabinet headquarters in Montebello, Que.

First ministers have committed to weekly meetings now that Trump has been installed in the White House.

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