Quebec wasted no time in reacting to the tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump just imposed on Canadian products: Premier François Legault indicated that he wants to penalize American companies that work in any way with his government. He also indicated that Canada would impose counter-tariffs of 25 per cent. 

“Today, Trump decided to attack us. We must stand up. We must fight to protect our economy, to protect our jobs,” said Legault, who made a statement Saturday evening in Montreal. 

Legault said he was aware that Quebec businesses will be “very affected” by the American tariffs. Legault repeated that 100,000 jobs could be lost. 

“I want to reassure Quebecers by telling them that we will do everything to protect them (…) All ministers, in all ministries, are working to ensure that the impacts of these tariffs are minimized,” he assured. 

Legault indicated that there would be counter-tariffs of 25 per cent on the Canadian side, but that he would let Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announce them. Trudeau was scheduled to speak earlier Saturday evening, but his press briefing was delayed. 

The Quebec premier met with his counterparts earlier Saturday. “Unanimously, all the provinces, territories and Trudeau supported strong retaliatory measures,” he said. 

“For my part, I asked the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia Lebel, to review all American suppliers on the procurement side – therefore all-American companies that bid on calls for tender or that directly or indirectly supply Quebec networks or ministries – to penalize American companies that work with the Quebec government,” he explained. 

After several months, Trump has now made good on his threat. He signed an executive order to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming from Canada starting Tuesday. Canadian oil and natural gas will be taxed at 10 per cent.

Legault, who met with Trump in Paris late last year, believed tariffs could be avoided by strengthening the Canada-U.S. border. 

Legault has often drawn parallels between the crisis that Trump’s tariffs would cause and the COVID-19 pandemic he had to manage during his first term. 

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews