'We need to be prepared' for tariffs, Alberta premier says after Trump meeting

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says while she doesn't want to assume anything after her meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence over the weekend, Canada needs "to be prepared" that threatened tariffs are on the way.

Smith met with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday evening, and again at his golf club on Sunday morning. She was a guest of Canadian celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary. 

"We had a friendly conversation, and I thought quite constructive, in which I emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship," Smith told reporters on Monday morning, adding she was also able to speak with members of the incoming U.S. administration.

Trump has said he would impose 25 per cent tariffs if Canada and Mexico don't enact measures to tackle illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the United States.

When asked by reporters whether she was able to obtain any assurances from the president-elect on the tariffs, Smith said Canadians should be prepared for them to come into effect on Jan. 20.

WATCH | Alberta premier has seen no indication Trump will change his tariff approach:

She added that Trump's biggest irritant is what he calls the United States' "trade deficit" with Canada, something Smith doesn't believe exists.

"I understand, from reading the papers, there's 100 executive orders coming in there ... I haven't seen anything that suggests he's changing course," she said.

"Our job is going to be to work overtime to make sure ... that we can make the case for carve-outs."

WATCH | Is Trump right about the U.S. subsidizing Canada?:

Should a 25 per cent tariff be implemented on Canadian goods, Smith said there would need to be a Canadian response. 

"Let's be frank about that ... if we put across the board 25 per cent tariffs in place on American goods, that makes the cost of everything for Canadians more expensive," Smith said. 

"This is why tariff wars are so painful, is that you end up hurting yourself in trying to retaliate. And so we have to be very thoughtful about how we go about doing that."

Smith was also asked about Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's appearance on CTV's Question Period on Sunday morning, in which Joly said "everything" was on the table when asked about restricting energy exports to the U.S.