The Western Hemisphere is once again reacting to reports involving President Donald Trump’s long-standing interest in expanding U.S. influence and territory.
On Thursday, reports surfaced that elected politicians from Alberta, Canada had contacted the White House to talk separation and 51st state ambitions. Alberta is Canada’s oil-rich western province, it is the most also the only conservative-leaning area of Canada. Canadian political leaders in Ottawa were immediately incensed; they accused the Trump administration of interfering in Canada’s internal affairs.
Alberta has seen a growing separatist movement in recent years, driven largely by opposition to Ottawa’s energy policies and federal redistribution of oil revenues. Many residents argue that Canada’s increasingly progressive environmental agenda unfairly targets Alberta’s energy sector while benefiting eastern provinces.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded sharply to the reports, warning the U.S. against any involvement in the province’s political future. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed that message.
According to the BBC:
“Carney said they ‘expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty – I’m always clear with President Trump to that effect’.
PM Carney on separatists seeking assistance from the Trump administration: "I expect the US administration to respect Canadian sovereignty. I'm always clear in my conversation with President Trump to that effect." pic.twitter.com/2IJjauMZMN
— Scott Robertson (@sarobertsonca) January 29, 2026
Similarly, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she expected US officials to leave discussions about the province’s ‘democratic process’ to Albertans and Canadians.”
Danielle Smith on separatists seeking assistance from the Trump administration: "I would expect that the US administration would respect Canadian sovereignty and that they would confine their discussion about Alberta's democratic process to Albertans and to Canadians." pic.twitter.com/bbujbvmhl5
— Scott Robertson (@sarobertsonca) January 29, 2026
Despite the criticism, Alberta separatists continue to move forward with efforts to hold a referendum on leaving Canada. Organizers are currently collecting signatures for a petition that could trigger a formal vote on secession.
Not all Canadian leaders have treated the issue lightly. British Columbia Premier David Eby accused separatists of undermining the country.
“British Columbia Premier David Eby said that ‘to go to a country and ask for assistance in breaking up Canada – there’s an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is ‘treason’’.”
Jeffrey Rath, co-founder of the Alberta Prosperity Project, confirmed that his group has traveled to Washington, D.C. multiple times over the past year. He emphasized that the visits were informational rather than political.
Rath said the trips were conducted by “private citizens on a fact-finding basis.”
He added that:
“Their meetings with senior officials were conducted as ‘a feasibility study’ on a possible $500bn (£362bn) line of credit should the province separate, he said, adding that his group was not soliciting funding.”
While no formal U.S. policy has been announced regarding Alberta, the situation highlights growing political and economic tensions inside Canada—particularly as energy-producing regions clash with an increasingly centralized and progressive federal government.
For President Trump, who has openly discussed expanding America’s strategic footprint, the unrest north of the border is another reminder that Western democracies are far less stable than their leaders often claim.