While Alberta’s trading future with the United States is uncertain given the imminent threat of punishing tariffs promised by incoming President Donald Trump, business leaders say there is reason for optimism the province could avoid extensive blowback given the importance of energy to Canada’s neighbouring global superpower.
Trump, who won the presidential race in November and started floating the idea of having Canada join the U.S. as the 51st state later that month, said Tuesday he would rely on “economic force” to cajole the country into joining his republic as he cast his country’s trade deficit with its northern neighbour as a subsidy that would be coming to an end.
Scott Crockatt, a vice-president of the Business Council of Alberta, said businesses are preparing for “the very strong likelihood” of tariffs on industry coming in when Trump assumes power …