Premier Legault is gearing up to counter Trump’s tariffs, urging Quebecers to support local businesses and rethink travel plans.
Saint-Sauveur: So, Premier François Legault is really stepping up his game in response to Donald Trump. He’s even thinking about asking Quebecers to hold off on their trips to Florida. Can you believe it?
Trump’s been throwing around the idea of slapping a hefty 25% customs tariff on Canadian imports starting February 1. That’s a big deal, especially with around 100,000 jobs hanging in the balance in Quebec.
Legault was pretty clear about the potential shake-up this could cause. He mentioned it after a meeting with other leaders, saying they need to be ready for anything. It sounds like he’s not taking this lightly.
During a virtual chat with Justin Trudeau and other provincial leaders, they tossed around some ideas for retaliation. One of Legault’s suggestions? Limiting American access to public contracts. He’s also thinking about counter-tariffs on things like maple syrup. Talk about a sweet strategy!
He joked that even if Trump tried to make maple syrup in Florida, it wouldn’t compare. He’s confident that Americans will either pay more or settle for inferior syrup. It’s a bold move!
Legault might even follow British Columbia’s lead, where the premier suggested locals think twice about traveling to the U.S. He’s aware that many Quebecers spend their cash in Florida, but he’s keeping all options on the table.
They’re also mulling over the idea of reviewing energy exports to the U.S., but Legault wants to make sure everyone’s on board first. With a potential recession looming, he reassured everyone that Quebec is well-prepared, thanks to its natural resources.
He’s urging Quebecers to rally together and support local businesses. Just the other day, he mentioned we could probably live without California wine and those fancy oranges and bananas.
Legault is committed to protecting Quebecers, no matter what. His Finance Minister even hinted at possibly delaying the balanced budget plan for 2029-2030. It’s a lot to think about, but they’re drawing parallels to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
