Earlier this month, officials from the United States State Department held at least three meetings with separatist leaders from the Canadian province of Alberta. In addition to seeking support from USPresident Donald Trumpfor the independence movement, separatists sought to secure a $500 billion line of credit to fund the transition to independence.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, the White House has been engaged in an ideological conflict with its neighbor, Canada. After suggesting that Canada become the 51st US state, Trump again threatened Ottawa with a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports.

In the latest episode of tensions between these historical allies, Trump threatened on February 11 to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a 2.4 km structure connecting the US city of Detroit with Windsor in Canada.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect that we deserve,” he said at the time, while the Canadian government stated that the nearly $4 billion bridge was paid for entirely with its own resources.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge across the Detroit River in a late stage of construction with multicolored shipping containers below, viewed from Detroit, Michigan in 2025 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In addition, US media reported in early April that State Department officials had met at least three times over the past year with members of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group advocating for the independence of the Canadian province.

With approximately 5 million residents, the province is located in western Canada and accounts for nearly 85% of Canada’s oil production. Last year, the province’s premier,Danielle Smith, announced that residents could vote in a local referendum on whether to support separation. Moreover, Smith even visited Trump’s estate at Mar-a-Lago.

Alberta is one of the Canadian provinces where conservatism is most prevalent. Meanwhile, the central government of Canada, led byPrime Minister Mark Carney,has a more progressive stance and is concerned with environmental issues. Trump’s provocations have mobilized conservative bases in Canada, such as in Alberta, to question the political decisions made by Carney.

In Canada, the provinces exercise significant independence and autonomy in various areas relative to the central government. As a result, they often assume greater control in certain fields, including foreign relations, partnership formation, dialogue with other countries, and management of environmental and energy resources.

Like in many parts of the world, polarization is a factor in Canadian politics that contributes to the debate. This movement in Alberta, with more frequent questioning of the Canadian government, was already underway during the administration offormer Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,who resigned in 2025 after nearly 13 years in office, and continues.

Source: Global Research