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Quebec Is Getting Hammered by Trump’s Trade War. It’s Not Backing Down

Businesses are paying the price—and overwhelmingly support Carney

The collapse of Canada’s trade negotiations with the United States has pushed Quebec into what Premier Christine Fréchette and the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce have called a “worst-case scenario” for local businesses. On August 22, the Donald Trump administration imposed a 50 percent tariff on roughly $28 billion in Canadian exports. Canada is fighting back dollar for dollar, announcing tariffs of between 15 and 50 percent on roughly $28 billion in US imports, effective September 8.

New tariffs, effective September 8, will affect approximately $7 billion in Quebec exports

79 percent of Quebecers support Carney’s decision to walk away from US trade talks

Many small businesses may not meet the threshold for Ottawa’s support package for those affected by the trade war

The new tariffs are on top of existing US tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and softwood lumber, with Premier Fréchette warning approximately $7 billion in Quebec exports will be affected. Many Quebec companies are already reducing production, laying off staff, or reporting lost contracts. In the rural community of Témiscaming, 400 unionized workers will soon be temporarily laid off at Rayonier Advanced Materials’ industrial complex for an indefinite period.

With Quebec—along with British Columbia and Ontario—expected to bear the brunt of the trade war, anxiety is spreading across the province, from its largest industries to small and medium-sized businesses.

Monas & Co., a family-run kitchen supply and restaurant equipment store that’s been outfitting Montreal’s professional and amateur chefs for nearly six decades, is trying to stay ahead of the unknown. Items they know will be affected include US-made stoves, cooking ranges, knives, scouring pads, ladles, freezers, and dishwashing machines.

“It’s certain to have a big impact on us since many of our supplies come from the........

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