US officials linked to former President Trump secretly met Alberta separatists demanding the oil-rich province's independence three times since April 2025. The Alberta Prosperity Project, pushing for independence, aims to meet US officials next month to request a $500bn credit facility. This loan would support Alberta if an independence referendum takes place, though no formal announcement has been made. Jeff Rath, the group's legal counsel, told the Financial Times that the US is “extremely enthusiastic about a free and independent Alberta.” However, both the US State Department and the White House said the meetings were routine and made no commitments. A State Department spokesperson said, “The department regularly meets with civil society types. As is typical in routine meetings such as these, no commitments were made.” A White House official added, “Administration officials meet with a number of civil society groups. No such support, or any other commitments, was conveyed.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently called Alberta a “natural partner for the US,” praising its rich resources and independent people. He noted rumors of a potential referendum and said, “People want sovereignty. They want what the US has got.” On the other side, Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith opposes joining the US. Her spokesperson, Sam Blackett, stated, “The overwhelming majority of Albertans are not interested” in statehood. He said the Premier “supports a strong and sovereign Alberta within a united Canada.” Alberta is vital to Canada, producing about 85% of the country's oil. The province ranks as the world’s fourth-largest oil producer. Meanwhile, the activist group Stay Free Alberta is organizing town halls and petition drives. If they collect over 177,000 validated signatures, approved by Elections Alberta, a fall referendum on independence could be triggered.