The Premier of Alberta has faced significant backlash for her strategy in addressing Canada's challenges related to Donald Trump.
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However, when aiming to influence Trump, it's crucial to engage with those who hold sway over him. **CHRIS SELLEY: IF DONE RIGHT, DANIELLE SMITH'S APPROACH TO AMERICAN OUTREACH COULD BE THE SOLUTION** Key Points: "Alberta Premier Danielle Smith understands the delicate balance of engaging with the United States and facing public condemnation; she likely grasps this better than most.
On Thursday, she is scheduled to appear alongside prominent right-wing podcaster Ben Shapiro at a fundraiser for PragerU, a conservative educational nonprofit. Her chief of staff, Rob Anderson, has indicated she will advocate for the delay or cancellation of tariffs for as long as possible. "Her plans have drawn criticism—not just for Shapiro's unflattering remarks about Canada, but also due to her earlier engagements in American media. Since her recent appearance on Breitbart News, accusations of 'treachery' have circulated on social media. "Her upcoming trip to Florida has reignited these critiques, extending beyond the typical critics in Central Canada. "It is important for Canadians to engage with Americans in a broader context. "While either Poilievre or Carney might approach 'dealing with Trump' differently, it ultimately depends on Trump's disposition toward them. Trump has made his disinterest in Poilievre clear—a point that Poilievre appears to take as a compliment. Aside from financial strategies, where both Poilievre and Carney generally align, the real distinction lies in the influence they can exert over American politics as a whole. "If Canada hopes to navigate this challenging period without significant repercussions, it's unlikely that a single argument or action will prove decisive. Instead, the goal should be to convey to as many people as possible the flaws in the current direction of the Trump administration—individuals like Shapiro are not completely immune to such criticisms. "'Canada? What has Canada done?' Shapiro questioned incredulously on his YouTube channel, which boasts 7.23 million subscribers. "The crux of the matter is that Shapiro's more derogatory remarks about Canada are often made in jest. While such comments are not particularly insightful or humorous, they reflect a certain light-heartedness prevalent among those close to Trump, even if Trump himself does not share this view. "It is advantageous for Canada to connect with these influencers—provided it is done effectively. Furthermore, Canadians should seek to engage with Americans on a broader scale. Let's hope Smith can facilitate that." —Chris Selley, National Post Link to Danielle Smith's Complete Statement in the Alberta Legislature Defending Her Stance on Trump and the Tariff Dispute: [Danielle Smith's Statement](https://x.com/abdaniellesmith/status/1904988129934938388?s=49&t=TUFXKPIagbb-oVATIHlAAQ&fbclid=IwY2xjawJRac9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfRLyv1GxEscCjYfSfZKbCOvKViR0cPbd1RuCTHOrDXj7oHgKNSPR4JLcg_aem_mngYhCIKGWbOX9vLsM8XPQ)
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