Alberta Premier Smith Says She Is ‘Good Cop’ in US Tariff Negotiations

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa on April 10, 2025. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA—Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she is playing the role of the “good cop” in negotiations with United States officials over tariffs placed on Canada, with the goal of changing the minds of those in the administration.

“The way I look at it is that you have to meet people where they are. I believe in diplomacy,” Smith said during a fireside chat at the Strong and Free Conference in Ottawa on April 10. “You can have a good cop, bad cop approach. I prefer to be the good cop.”