Quebec premier defends his strategy in the face of Trump’s tariff threats

Premier François Legault is defending his strategy on protecting Quebec from U.S. tariffs after returning from his trade mission in Washington.

Accused of “selling Quebec down the river,” Premier François Legault had to defend his negotiating strategies on Thursday in the face of President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on Canadian products, including aluminum.

He said he would “play hardball” if the Americans play hardball.

READ MORE: ‘Today is the big one’: Trump teases new tariffs

On his return from a two-day mission to Washington, he came under fire from the opposition, which criticized him for already making concessions, but also for threatening to introduce reciprocal tariffs on aluminum — something the industry in Quebec takes a dim view of.

On Wednesday, Legault said that he was ready to “make a lot of compromises in aeronautics, in forestry, and perhaps in the long-term security of aluminum.”

During question period, Liberal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin called him a “pee wee” who is already putting both knees to the ground before even starting negotiations, which brought CAQ parliamentary leader Simon Jolin-Barrette off his feet.

“What industry is he going to sacrifice? Aeronautics, our forests, the aluminum smelter?” asked Beauchemin. “Amateur.”

In his answers, the CAQ leader said he made a distinction between the interests of companies and the interests of Quebecers.

He wants to “force companies to diversify their markets.” Quebec has an advantage because the United States is dependent on Quebec aluminum. The province exports 2.9 million tons south of the border, so 60 per cent of U.S. aluminum comes from here, he pointed out.

“It would put the United States to shame,” he said in the House.

Patrice Bergeron, The Canadian Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 13, 2025.