Quebec premier calls new Trump tariff threats on steel and aluminum 'completely unjustified'
CBC
Quebec Premier François Legault is calling U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat on Canadian steel and aluminum producers "completely unjustified."
He made the remark in a post on X, after Trump announced his intention to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent next Wednesday.
"If he goes ahead with this tariff increase, it will harm our economy, as well as the American economy," Legault wrote in French.
Legault added the situation was being closely monitored as they await to see the details of the executive order.
In the meantime, "assistance programs continue to be available to businesses in need," he said.
Both the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) and United Steel Workers Canada condemned the increase in U.S steel tariffs.
"We're already in a dire situation with the 25 per cent tariffs imposed on us in March, so an additional 25 per cent will be catastrophic for our industry," François Desmarais, the CSPA's vice-president of trade and industry affairs, told CBC in an interview.
Meg Gingrich, assistant to the national director for the United Steel Workers, agreed, saying the move could deliver a "potentially devastating blow" to the industry.
Gingrich and Desmarais pointed to hundreds of layoffs across the country as a result of the current tariffs and Desmarais noted a "massive drop" in steel shipments to the United States.
Desmarais said in April there were 30 per cent less shipments compared to the same time last year.
"You have to keep in mind that over 50 per cent of Canadian steel production is sold in the United States," he said, adding he worries Canadian producers will be shut out of the market if Trump makes good on the proposed increase.
Both organizations are calling on the federal government to take strong action and reinstate counter tariffs immediately, but some are hoping for a more measured response.
"We understand that we need to have a political answer to the situation," said Julie White, CEO of the Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec — a business association whose mission is to promote the growth of the Quebec manufacturing sector.
She said, however, that any response needs to be targeted and take into account how it will impact different sectors.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.