An independent Alberta would automatically stay in USMCA and Canada's trade agreements.
Stated by: Commonly stated by Alberta independence advocates
Summary
Trade agreements like the USMCA are between sovereign countries, not provinces. A newly independent Alberta would be a new state and would not automatically inherit Canada's place in them; it would have to seek accession, with no guarantee of the same terms. Analysts note a country of fewer than five million people would have little leverage negotiating into a market of roughly 500 million, especially during a USMCA review.
Evidence
The USMCA applies to sovereign states, not provinces, so an independent Alberta would not automatically be covered and would face renegotiation of market access and rules of origin.
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (opens in a new tab)
An independent Alberta would have to negotiate admission to the USMCA with little leverage as a small economy entering a free-trade zone of nearly 500 million people.
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (opens in a new tab)