Alberta Temporarily Halts US Procurement Policy Connected to Tariff Dispute, Emphasizing Diplomatic Efforts
Alberta has decided to pause its new U.S. procurements policy that restricted government entities, school boards, municipalities, and Crown corporations from buying goods and services from American companies.
In March, the province requested these organizations to refrain from purchasing from the United States due to U.S. tariff announcements affecting Canadian products, which Premier Danielle Smith acknowledged had “damaged trust” with the country.
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump has halted further tariffs, leading Alberta to halt its procurement ban as a diplomatic measure until the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA) is renegotiated.
“In the spirit of diplomacy, Alberta has chosen to pause any further escalations,” Nally stated in a communication to The Epoch Times.
Nally also confirmed that the ban on new purchases of U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals (VLTs) through the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will remain in place.
Alberta Opposition NDP critic for jobs, economy, and trade, Rhiannon Hoyle, criticized the government’s decision to pause the procurement policy, claiming it would not benefit local businesses and revealed a lack of leadership.
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“They should be supporting Albertans, supporting Team Canada. Instead, we have this government supporting Team Trump,” she remarked.
The province’s decision follows the launch of a buy local campaign to encourage residents to buy Alberta-made products.
“Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products,” Minister of Agriculture R.J. Sigurdson highlighted in an April 14 release.
“The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Currently, there are 25 percent tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and auto manufacturers, as well as 10 percent tariffs on energy. However, tariffs do not apply to Canadian imports covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA).
Alberta Tariff Response
On March 5, Alberta declared its response to U.S. tariffs by removing U.S. liquor from shelves, joining other provinces in a similar action.
Smith voiced support for the federal government’s measures, imposing retaliatory tariffs of 25 percent on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, including steel and aluminum. Additionally, Canada announced a 25 percent tariff on vehicles not compliant with USMCA.
However, Smith opposed Ottawa’s potential imposition of tariffs on oil and gas exports to the U.S., which influenced her decision not to sign a joint statement between the federal government and premiers in January regarding a unified response to tariffs.
Carolina Avendano and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
