Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette is convening two emergency meetings this week with key stakeholders as the government braces for potential impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The meetings come just days before the Aug. 19 deadline for Trump’s new 50 per cent tariffs to come into effect on several Canadian goods.
“In light of the analyses and discussions regarding the impact of Donald Trump’s potential new tariffs, the premier is convening business organizations to prepare Quebec to deal with them,” wrote Fréchette’s spokesperson, Élodie Masson, in an email to CTV News.
The first meeting, scheduled for Thursday morning, will focus on requests to the federal government to protect Quebec’s economic interests, the risks associated with the 50 per cent tariffs, and support measures from the provincial government in the event that negotiations between Canada and the U.S. fall apart.
Key stakeholders in that meeting include associations in Quebec representing the aluminum, forestry, and steel industries, as well as the Quebec Employers’ Council.
CTV News has learned that Canadian and U.S. trade officials are hoping to have a layout of a deal in front of Trump before next Wednesday, and that if the new tariffs come into effect on the Aug. 19 deadline, it could put further trade talks at risk.
The premier is convening a second emergency meeting on Friday, mainly with the food industry. That meeting will bring together stakeholders from the Quebec Dairy Producers Federation, the Quebec Food Processing Council, and the UPA union, which represents more than 42,000 agricultural producers.
One of the proposals Canadian officials are considering is removing counter-tariffs on autos and provincial bans on U.S. alcohol. However, Fréchette has stood firm in her position that U.S. booze and liquor will not return to SAQ shelves unless she sees a deal that serves Quebec’s interests.
With files from CTV News’ Mike Le Couteur and Stephanie Ha
