Alberta governments diplomatic efforts to avert tariffs a high-wire act, political watchers say [Video]

Political watchers say Premier Danielle Smith is walking a tightrope, diplomatically pleading Alberta’s case to an incoming U.S. president threatening to annex Canada without throwing the rest of the country under the bus.

Smith travelled south this weekend for a face-to-face meeting with incoming U.S president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. It was an effort to stave off Trump’s promised 25 per cent levy on all Canadian goods – including Alberta’s mainstay oil and gas exports.

Trump is promising the tariffs shortly after he takes office Monday. He has also suggested the tariffs are part of a larger strategy to annex Canada through “economic force.” That has sparked a national debate over the best course of action for Canada.

University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young said all Canadian politicians are faced with the choice between trying to reason with Trump or stand up and risk a trade war.

Young said Smith …