Smith described the prospect of taxing or cutting off crude shipments as a disastrous policy path that would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. Alberta currently sends roughly 4 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S. daily, a trade flow valued at approximately $80 billion last year. She emphasized that such an escalation would not only harm Albertans but also leave provinces in Eastern Canada vulnerable to supply disruptions.

The Premier specifically warned that the United States would likely retaliate by restricting imports of gasoline and diesel into Ontario and Quebec just as winter demand peaks. While some suggest U.S. refineries could pivot to Venezuelan crude to replace Canadian supply, Smith noted the strategic risk of permanently losing the province's largest buyer. Her stance prioritizes maintaining stable energy trade over aggressive economic posturing, despite the broader geopolitical friction currently surrounding North American trade policy.