EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is pushing her message for an end to the fierce U.S.-Canada trade war directly to Americans. Smith, appearing on the Fox Business Network, says Canadians are confused and disappointed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent effort to rebrand Lake Ontario as Lake America. She says it’s particularly confounding given the two countries’ long-standing economic and military relationship. Smith says Canadian troops stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Americans in Afghanistan, and the upcoming 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the U.S. is a reminder of the close relationship. The premier says Canadians don’t understand why Americans would want Canada to be weaker. She says the trade war will topple small businesses and decimate jobs on both sides of the border. --- Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2026.
