Quebec government set to announce response to U.S. tariffs today

By Canadian Press on March 4, 2025.

MONTREAL — Quebec Premier François Legault is holding a special meeting of his cabinet this morning before he announces his province’s response to the start to the trade war with the United States.

Legault has said his government will launch a fund to give short-term financing to Quebec companies vulnerable to the tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump imposed on Canadian goods today.

The premier has also called on companies looking to expand to apply for funding with the province’s investment arm — Investissement Québec.

Trump’s executive order hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET.

A recent study by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says the Quebec cities most at risk from tariffs are Saguenay, Trois-Rivières, and Drummondville.

Legault is scheduled to announce his government’s response to U.S. tariffs at 1 p.m. in Montreal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press