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QUEBEC – New 25 per cent tariffs on imports proposed by American president-elect Donald Trump pose an “enormous risk,” to the Quebec and Canadian economies, says Premier François Legault.
In a message posted on social media, Legault said everything must be done to avoid such tariffs, including making the integrity of the Canada-U.S. border a priority.
The reference to the border follows months of complaints by Legault aimed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tighten up border controls.
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The threat of 25 per cent tariffs on goods headed to the United States has reinforced Legault’s case.
“This promise of president-elected Donald Trump poses an enormous risk to the Quebec and Canadian economies,” Legault writes. “We have to do everything we can to avoid tariffs of 25 per cent on all products we export to the United States.
“The integrity of the border must be the priority of the federal government. I am offering the full cooperation of the government of Quebec to Prime Minister Trudeau.”
Legault and Trudeau spoke Monday evening following news from the United States about tariffs which would have a devastating impact on the economy. Quebec exports 70 per of its goods to the states, mostly aluminum, minerals, softwood lumber and aircraft parts.
Ontario finds itself in a similar bind with its massive auto parts exports at stake. In a statement Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford also urged Ottawa “to do better,” on the borders.
On Monday, all of Canada’s premiers and territorial leaders signed a joint letter to Trudeau calling for a meeting to discuss the U.S.-Canada trade situation.
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