QUEBEC — In a surprise move, Premier Christine Fréchette met one-on-one with the U.S. trade representative responsible for the revision of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on Monday.
Her meeting with Jamieson Greer, which lasted an hour, came as a last-minute addition to Fréchette’s agenda as she kicked off a trade mission in Washington.
Fréchette revealed in a social media posting that the meeting with the influential member of the Trump administration had taken place.
It is unusual for a provincial leader to meet such a high-placed official.
J’ai rencontré ce matin le représentant américain au Commerce, Jamieson Greer, responsable de la révision de l’ACEUM.
Le Québec souhaite un renouvellement de l’accord afin d’assurer un cadre stable et prévisible pour nos échanges économiques.
J’ai souligné à M. Greer que le… pic.twitter.com/9sFp8hdfzz
— Christine Fréchette (@CFrechette) April 27, 2026
“I underlined to Mr. Greer that the renewal of CUSMA could not happen to the detriment of our industries and the protection of French,” Fréchette said in her post.
“I also reminded that Quebec is a key economic motor for many American states. Our integrated supply chains are essential to North American (economic) competition.”
Fréchette’s entourage stressed to reporters that Fréchette is not in Washington to handle trade negotiations, a role Quebec recognizes as a federal responsibility.
But Fréchette used the meeting to make Quebec’s case. Talks to renew CUSMA are set to kick off in July and have already sparked tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
“Building an economic relationship based on unpredictability and uncertainty is impossible,” Fréchette said in her post. “To prosper, we need a beneficial accord and not tariffs. This is what Quebecers want.
“This is what our American partners want. This is what I want also. I thank you (Greer) for the frank and constructive exchanges. Quebec remains a reliable and unavoidable partner. We extend our hand to build a strong economy without ever giving in.”
Fréchette’s rapid visit to Washington comes only 12 days after she was sworn in as premier. The last such visit by a Quebec premier dates back to February 2025.
Her first meeting Monday was with Canadian Ambassador Mark Wiseman.
“I think it was important for me to come to the United States quickly,” Fréchette said, arriving at the embassy Monday morning. “I am here to defend Quebec’s interests here in Washington.
“You know we are an important strategic player in many industrial sectors. It’s important to remind them.”
“We know how important the United States is for Quebec, so it’s important to come and meet them quickly on the eve of discussion to renew the accord.”
Fréchette’s trip follows a series of early moves as premier, including a meeting Friday in Montreal with Quebec’s economic players.
Quebec’s steel, aluminum and lumber industries have been hit hard by tariffs imposed on exports by the American administration.
The United States is Quebec’s main trading partner. In 2024, three-quarters of Quebec’s exports (73.5 per cent) were destined for the United States. The total value in 2022 was $92 billion.
But Quebec’s aluminum and steel exports have been hit with 50-per-cent tariffs. Quebec lumber faces a 45-per-cent tariff when it goes across the border.
Washington has also been demanding concessions on the supply management system, which protects dairy farms and jobs in Quebec.
Quebec’s economy has scrambled to diversify given the new reality. The government has also stepped up with various programs to help them cope with tariffs.
On Friday, after her meeting with Quebec’s economic players, Fréchette praised their resilience, noting that in the last year exports to non-U.S. markets are up 10 per cent.
“The tumultuous period is not over,” Fréchette said, standing in the lobby of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in Old Montreal. “We are all aware of this.
“This is why I am going to Washington, to explain the importance of the Quebec-U.S. trade relationship and to explain how much the tariff war not only hurts the Quebec economy, but the American economy as well.
“I will try and get this message to percolate. I will try to influence the events to come.”
Following her meeting with Wiseman, Fréchette is to attend a roundtable of American and Canadian business associations before moving on to private meetings with some U.S. Congress members.
That list includes U.S. House of Representatives members Nicole Malliotakis and Claudia Tenney of New York and Adrian Smith of Nebraska, all Republicans.
She wraps up the day with an evening news conference.