Premier François Legault says President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports poses a “significant risk” to Quebec’s and Canada’s economies.
Legault spoke out on social media hours later. President Trump vows to impose tariffs on ‘all products’ from Canada and Mexico. He said he would sign the executive order into law on his first day in office, Jan. 20, citing concerns about illegal immigration and illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, infiltrating the U.S. border.
“We hereby demand that they use this power. Until they do, it’s time for them to pay a very high price!” Trump wrote in a social media post. .
Legault’s quick response shows he is taking the threat seriously, stressing that the province must do everything possible to avoid impacting Quebec’s exports.
Aircraft, mineral fuels, and metals are among the main products the United States imports from Quebec. In August 2024, Quebec’s total exports to the United States reached $7 billion.
“Border security must be the federal government’s top priority. I offer Prime Minister Trudeau the Quebec government’s full cooperation,” Legault told X.
Legault’s spokesperson told CTV News that Trudeau spoke with the prime minister about Trump’s tariff promise on Monday.
After a meeting with the Quebec-U.S. Ministerial Working Group last week, Legault said that in response to President Trump’s U.S. presidential campaign promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants, Quebec would not be willing to do more at the Canadian border. He said the country could not cope with a large-scale influx of immigrants. in the usa
Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed Legault’s comments Monday night, saying such high tariffs “would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the United States.”
“The federal government needs to take the situation at the border seriously,” Ford added.
early Monday morning, Canadian prime ministers have asked Trudeau for an emergency meeting to discuss the incoming Trump administration. before he takes office in the new year. Mr Ford, who chairs the premier’s association, the Commonwealth Council, said he wanted state officials to talk directly with the premier about not only border security but also trade and cross-border supply chains. .
With files from The Canadian Press
