Bessent suggests Alberta separatism reflects Canadian interest in closer US ties

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday, January 23, suggested that some Canadians, particularly in the western province of Alberta, may be seeking closer ties with the United States. He pointed to what he described as growing talk of sovereignty and dissatisfaction within the province. 

The remarks come as Donald Trump has revived expansionist rhetoric toward US allies and increased pressure on Canada through tariffs and public statements. Canadian officials have not responded directly to Bessent’s comments.

Bessent references Alberta separatism amid Trump administration rhetoric

Bessent raised the possibility of Alberta exiting Canada during an interview on the right-wing streaming channel Real America’s Voice. “Alberta’s a natural partner for the US They have great resources. The Albertans are very independent people,” Bessent said. “Rumor is they may have a referendum on whether they want to stay in Canada or not.” 

The Treasury secretary made the comments while criticizing Canada’s energy policies, arguing that Alberta has significant natural resources but faces restrictions on building pipelines to the Pacific Ocean. When pressed for specifics about the alleged push for separation, Bessent acknowledged he did not have concrete information. “People are talking. People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got,” he said.  

Alberta, home to roughly five million people, is often considered one of Canada’s more conservative provinces, though its politics do not directly align with those of the US Alberta Premier Danielle Smith leads the United Conservative Party. According to The Canadian Press, hundreds of residents have recently signed a petition sanctioned by Alberta’s chief electoral officer calling for a vote on whether the province should leave Canada. Nearly 178,000 signatures would be required by May to trigger a referendum.

Bessent’s remarks reflected broader rhetoric from Trump, who has previously suggested Canada could become the 51st US state, an idea Ottawa has firmly rejected and last week shared an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela under an American flag.

Bessent escalates war of words with California Gov Gavin Newsom

While in Davos, Bessent also engaged in a public exchange with California Gov Gavin Newsom, responding to comments the Democratic governor made earlier this week at the World Economic Forum. Newsom had criticized world leaders for what he described as excessive deference to Trump, saying he “should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders” seeking to appease him.

Bessent fired back, calling Newsom “self-absorbed and too economically illiterate.” In an interview with Politico, he added, “If you brought the kneepads, maybe that was for his meeting with Alex Soros.”

Bessent also dismissed Newsom’s broader criticisms of Trump’s diplomatic approach. “Being on the national stage is very different than being governor of California with no signature achievements,” he said. “What the hell does that mean?” he added, referring to Newsom’s comparison of Trump to a Tyrannosaurus rex. 

Newsom said European leaders needed to “stand tall” amid US pressure, including negotiations related to Greenland. Bessent countered that Newsom’s remarks were nonsensical, at one point saying the governor had a “brain the size of a walnut.”