The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, praised the news that Canada would not be struck by the United States prices for another month, but he said on Monday that uncertainty continues to hang the economy as a ” dagger on our heads ”.
Canada may not yet be touched with 25% prices from US President Donald Trump, but Quebec’s businesses already feel the impact of its threats – many choose to put on waiting, waiting to see this That he will do, Legault said reporters on Monday evening in Montreal on Monday evening.
“Sometimes it is better to get bad news to have uncertainty,” said Prime Minister after meeting several financial heavyweights in the province when his administration was preparing his response to the imminent rates.
Moments earlier, Trump said that he would not impose prices in Canada for another month, withdrawing a plan that would have turned North America into a trade war on Tuesday. The president announced the same 30 -day stay in Mexico on Monday morning.
But although Trump’s decision is good news, continuous trade in progress with the most powerful country in the world has highlighted two blatant weaknesses in the economies of Quebec and Canada: productivity is too low and markets ‘Exports are not sufficiently diversified – 71% of Quebec exports go to the United States, said Legault.
The Quebec Government develops programs to help companies develop and diversify their markets, he said, adding that the province’s public hydroelectricity service will advance the calendar of the main energy projects, but it does not did not give details.
For the moment, he said, Quebec has paused its response plan against the United States, which included the withdrawal of American alcohol alcohol from the provincial owner, and addition of a 25% penalty on American societies which brought up on government contracts.
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In addition, Legault has said that Quebec will seek means to reduce trade barriers with other provinces, but it has admitted that it would not be easy in certain sectors, including construction.
Meanwhile, the prices could be suspended for the moment – Trump said that he was satisfied with the border plan of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who includes helicopter patrols, a joint working group of the crime organized in the States- United and the appointment of a “fentanyl tsar” – but Quebec is still preparing financial assistance for workers if the president changes his mind.
In addition, the mayors of Montreal and Toronto confirmed on Monday that they develop their own plans to meet the prices, in partnership with other levels of government. Toronto’s actions will include an examination of the city’s supply plans and a Canadian purchasing initiative to prioritize local goods and services, the mayor Olivia Chow said on Monday.
The mayor of Montreal, Valéririe Plante, said that her administration also examined her list of American suppliers and was looking for local and international alternatives. She said that the city could potentially impose its own 25% penalty on American suppliers who bid on municipal contracts. “Friendship between our nations has always been based on mutual respect,” she wrote in a statement. “If Washington chooses the confrontation, we will respond with the same determination.”
For his party, Legault said that the news on Monday “was not a complete victory” due to the unpredictability of Trump – and also how mean and aggressive, saying that things like Canada do not are not a “viable country” and that it should become the 51st state.
“It’s terrible to hear things like that,” said Legault. “We must be ready for all types of scenarios with this type.”
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press