Relations between the United States and Canada continue to deteriorate. According to the Financial Times, representatives of the U.S. presidential administration have held a series of closed negotiations with members of the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) — a movement advocating for the independence of the province of Alberta from Canada.
According to sources from the publication, since April 2025, APP delegates have visited Washington three times for consultations with the State Department. A new round of negotiations is scheduled for February of this year, during which the separatists intend to request a loan of $500 billion from the U.S. This funding is planned to be used to ensure the economic stability of the region in the event of a referendum on leaving Canada.
APP lawyer Jeff Rath, who participated in the negotiations, stated that the American side shows significant interest in the possibility of creating a "free Alberta." He noted that engagement with Donald Trump's team has proven to be more productive than with the official Canadian government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
However, Washington seeks to maintain diplomatic distance. The State Department confirmed that contacts took place but characterized them as "routine communication with civil society," emphasizing the absence of any promises from the U.S. The White House also denied any information regarding financial assistance. Moreover, the circle around Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claims that the issue of the $500 billion loan is not even being considered.
Experts note that the U.S. interest in Alberta is pragmatic, as this province is an important supplier of oil to the American market. The situation is complicated by a personal conflict between the leaders of the two countries: after Mark Carney's sharp criticism of Trump at the Davos Forum and Canada's support for Greenland's position, the American president excluded Canada from his Council of Peace. In this context, contacts with Alberta separatists may serve as an additional tool for pressure on Ottawa.
