Quebec Premier Francois Fréchette announced on Monday that he will suspend his campaign activities to convene a cabinet meeting aimed at preparing for Canada’s planned counter‑tariffs on United States imports. The meeting is scheduled for later this week in Quebec and will involve the CAQ leadership as well as senior officials from the federal government.
The cabinet session comes as Ottawa readies a series of retaliatory duties in response to recent trade measures introduced by the United States. Canadian authorities have indicated that the new tariffs could reach rates of up to 15 percent on certain categories and as high as 50 percent on others, targeting a broad range of American products.
Among the items expected to be affected are dairy goods, steel, copper and a selection of cosmetics. The proposed duties are part of a coordinated effort to counterbalance the U.S. actions that have raised concerns among Canadian producers and exporters. By imposing these measures, the federal government aims to protect domestic industries and maintain trade equilibrium.
Fréchette, who leads the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), said the provincial government will work closely with the federal cabinet to assess the impact of the tariffs on Quebec’s economy. He emphasized that the province must be ready to address any disruptions that could arise in supply chains, pricing and employment within the affected sectors.
The decision to pause the premier’s campaign underscores the priority given to the trade issue. It also signals a unified approach between Quebec and Ottawa as Canada prepares to implement the counter‑tariff regime. The upcoming cabinet meeting will detail the specific steps the government plans to take, including communication with industry stakeholders and possible support measures for businesses facing increased costs.
The tariffs are set to be announced formally in the coming days, and the Quebec cabinet will evaluate their implications for the province once the federal details are finalized.