Reaction to Smith's response to tariffs mixed from opposition, academics and industry experts

Premier Danielle Smith’s cautious tone on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war with Canada has drawn reactions ranging from admiration for her diplomacy to condemnation of her government’s “weak” response.

“I know emotionally it feels good to retaliate. I get that. But let’s remember what happens when we retaliate,” Smith said during her Saturday radio show.

“We shouldn’t be cheering if our farmers have to pay 50 per cent more for all the equipment they need to produce our food. That’s not a success for us. It’s not something we should be cheering on. It’s something we should be lamenting.”

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Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called her response weak in the face of a significant threat from the U.S., while questioning her “loyalties.”

“Every action she takes publicly strengthens the bargaining position of the United States and of Donald Trump,” he said. “Danielle Smith’s preferred course of action has always been to bow down to Donald Trump, to give Donald Trump everything that he wants.”

The comments came as the federal government unveiled matching, dollar-for-dollar tariffs on American goods . The government made no mention of oil and gas products.

“When the United States asked too much and offered too little, we chose to stand up for Canadians,” Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne wrote in a statement, while announcing billions of dollars in labour relief for those affected by tariffs.

“Our dollar-for-dollar, rate-for-rate counter-tariffs, as well as a multibillion-dollar support package, will protect workers, farmers, families and businesses as we build a stronger, more resilient and more diversified Canadian economy.”

Nenshi also urged the province to remove American booze from the shelves of liquor stores, saying the decision would be the “first step” to show that Alberta is on “Team Canada.”

“Not only would it be a show of commitment to Canada, but it would be in support of Alberta farmers, brewers, and distillers,” Nenshi said.

However, Smith ruled out the move, saying she wanted to leave it to Albertans to make that decision.

“We believe also in choice,” Smith said during the radio show. “If you don’t feel like you want to buy products, then it’s up to you to decide what products that you want. We trust that Albertans can make their own decisions, so we won’t be going down that track.”