Ottawa tries to talk down Trump tariffs; Albertans watching closely [Video]

Alberta’s politicians and business community will have eyes on Florida this weekend, following a federal government outreach trip.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc travelled to Palm Beach on Friday to further discussions with members of the future Donald Trump administration.

The duo will push Canada’s new $1.3-billion border plan with the president-elect’s transition team less than four weeks before he takes office.

Trump has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada.

“Those I know in the business community, they’re telling me that they’re preparing for the strong likelihood that these tariffs do, in fact, come on,” said Scott Crockatt, Business Council of Alberta vice-president.

“Now, what form they’ll take when they come into place and what the actual percentages are, are really great unknowns.”

Panic is rising in the energy-driven province as the Jan. 20 inauguration creeps …