Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came out swinging at a news conference yesterday after being asked about Danielle Smith’s decision to break away from her fellow premiers and her refusal to sign on to a national strategy to address threatened US tariffs against Canadian goods.

The impact of 25 per cent tariffs on all goods bound for this country’s largest trading partner will have a devastating impact on the economy and the Council of the Federation met this week to hash out a plan to deal with the impact.

The Alberta Premier was not in physical attendance and refused to sign on to a national strategy saying that Alberta’s energy won’t be used as a bargaining chip.

Trudeau, who will be stepping down once a new federal leader is chosen, didn’t pull any punches when questioned by reporters on Thursday.

“We made the decision to purchase and build and complete that pipeline. That’s an example of all Canadians standing up for Alberta, and getting it done. So yes, premiers should be advocating for their own industries, their own industries, but they should also put their country first, as every single premier, except Danielle Smith, did.”