Alberta premier's Trump visit raises concerns she's flouting Team Canada approach

Many, including B.C.'s premier, have called for a Team Canada approach to Donald Trump's tariff threat. But it seems some provinces are going it alone.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith met with Donald Trump this weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida golf club. 

Smith is the first premier to do so since the incoming U.S. president first made his threat of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

Smith told reporters Monday the two had a "constructive" conversation and she "emphasized the mutual importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship."

"I think we need to be prepared that tariffs are coming," she said. 

Smith is pushing for "carve-outs" or exemptions to the tariffs, particularly for Canadian crude oil, the bulk of which is produced in Alberta's oil sands.

Crude oil accounts for about one-fifth of all goods Canada ships abroad.

Some political analysts worry Smith's strategy to negotiate solo could hurt Canada's position as a whole.

"She's going solo there," said Lisa Young, a University of Calgary political scientist. 

"She's not part of a 'Team Canada' effort," Young told CBC's Calgary Eyeopener. "If she is negotiating for some kind of a carve-out for oil and gas, does that affect the broader Canadian stance of trying to not have the tariffs on other goods imposed? Where is she locating herself relative to other Canadian efforts?"

Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams said a united front between the provinces and territories is key to successfully negotiating with Trump. 

"If we don't band together on this, we all stand to lose," Williams said. "We are becoming more vulnerable the more divided we are."

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad accused Premier David Eby of dropping the ball in advancing B.C. interests. 

"If I was the premier, I'd already be down there [meeting with Trump]," Rustad said.