Carney and the premiers met on Thursday, with Canada\u2019s response to the U.S. tariff threat one of the key issues.<\/p>\n
Carney denounced what he called \u201cthe latest in a series of unilateral, unwarranted trade actions\u201d by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all circumstances, irrespective of the outcome of (trade) negotiations, Canada will do whatever it takes to build our strength at home and to support Canadian families, workers, our farmers, our businesses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Carney argued Canada is \u201cin a stronger position than we were when this trade war started 18 months ago,\u201d crediting Canadians\u00a0for helping strengthen the country\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re ready because we have been focusing on what we can control,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s strategy involves improving\u00a0the country\u2019s\u00a0economy and diversifying trade relationships, even while helping sectors such as steel, aluminum and automobiles, Carney said.<\/p>\n
Carney also said premiers agreed to continue work on reducing internal trade barriers and building \u201cone Canadian market\u201d to make it easier for workers and goods to move across provincial boundaries.<\/p>\n
The prime minister\u00a0said he and the premiers stand united\u00a0as\u00a0negotiations with the U.S. \u201cintensify.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if Canada is considering retaliatory measures against the U.S., Carney said: \u201cEverything\u2019s on the table if there\u2019s no agreement, depending on the outcome of the negotiations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The U.S. trade war is expected to be an issue in Quebec\u2019s Oct. 5 general election.<\/p>\n
This week, Conservative Party of Quebec Leader \u00c9ric Duhaime said the CAQ government\u2019s decision to retaliate by\u00a0removing American alcohol from store shelves<\/a>\u00a0was\u00a0a mistake\u00a0and ended up costing the province millions.<\/p>\n He said Quebec should\u00a0put American alcohol back<\/a>\u00a0on shelves, and instead focus on removing interprovincial trade barriers to direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.<\/p>\n \u201cCanada is our best and most reliable economic partner,\u201d Duhaime said.<\/p>\n The premiers of all provinces except Quebec announced plans this week to remove interprovincial barriers that prevent brewers, wineries and distillers from selling directly to consumers in other provinces.<\/p>\n Fr\u00e9chette said Quebec wants to do the same, but requires legislative changes.<\/p>\n Parti Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois MNA Pascal Paradis also accused the CAQ government of mishandling the trade dispute.<\/p>\n He cited the alcohol ban and former premier Fran\u00e7ois Legault\u2019s 2025 comments that he was prepared to make compromises in the aerospace, forestry and aluminum sectors during trade talks with the U.S.<\/p>\n Paradis argued that Carney has been too willing to make concessions to Trump without securing gains in return.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that Quebec and Canada have never been in a weaker position than they are today,\u201d he said. \u201cPresident Trump will continue using tariff threats as long as those threats work.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\tEditor\u2019s Picks\t<\/p>\n The Gazette\u2019s On Quebec Politics newsletter by Andy Riga breaks down key election issues, from polling shifts to legislative manoeuvring to ideas circulating in francophone commentary that don\u2019t make it into English-language coverage.<\/p>\n To sign up, visit this page<\/a> and check the box labelled \u201cOn Quebec Politics\u201d before providing your email address.<\/p>\n
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