Quebec Minister Jean‑Francois Fréchette announced on Monday night, September 7, 2026, that he is pausing his political campaign and has convened a cabinet meeting to address Canada’s planned retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods. The decision was made as the federal government prepares to impose duties that will vary between 15 % and 50 % on selected American products.
The cabinet session is expected to focus on the upcoming tariff regime targeting U.S. dairy, steel, copper and beauty items. These measures are presented as a response to recent trade actions taken by the United States against Canadian exports. The range of tariff rates reflects the diversity of the goods under consideration and the government’s intent to calibrate the response.
Premier François Legault and members of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) were noted to be monitoring the situation closely, given its potential impact on Quebec’s economy and on the province’s political landscape. While the minister’s campaign pause signals a shift in his immediate political priorities, officials indicated that the broader provincial leadership remains engaged with the federal strategy.
The Canadian government’s move follows a series of U.S. trade measures that have affected Canadian sectors. By announcing the tariff range and the internal cabinet review, officials aim to coordinate a unified national response. The upcoming tariffs, set to target a wide array of American products, are part of a larger trade dialogue between the two countries, with the cabinet meeting serving as a forum to finalize details before implementation.