Carney rejects any U.S. interference after reports Trump officials met Alberta separatists

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 30, 2026

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back against any U.S. involvement in Canada’s domestic affairs on Thursday after media reports said officials in the Trump administration met representatives linked to Alberta’s separatist movement, saying he expects Washington to respect Canadian sovereignty.

Reuters reported the meetings involved the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group advocating Alberta’s independence. The Financial Times cited sources saying APP leaders held three meetings with U.S. State Department officials since April and discussed seeking a massive financial backstop, including a proposed $500 billion credit facility, in support of a potential independence scenario.

Carney said President Donald Trump has never raised Alberta separatism with him directly, and suggested some of the provocative rhetoric could be tied to sensitivities around the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The reports triggered sharp reactions from provincial leaders. British Columbia Premier David Eby called the outreach “treason,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford described it as “unacceptable” and “unethical,” while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reiterated she supports Alberta remaining in Canada but expects the U.S. administration to respect Canadian sovereignty and leave Canada’s democratic processes to Canadians.

A Canadian Press report said U.S. officials, speaking on background, characterized the contacts as routine meetings with civil society groups and said no commitments were made, as analysts warned the episode could inflame unity debates and foreign-interference concerns.