The decision by the United States Supreme Court to invalidate many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs has been met with mixed reactions in Quebec, as the steel, aluminum and lumber sectors remain subject to US tariffs.
Economy Minister Jean Boulet indicated that the government will analyze the impacts of the decision by the highest court in the United States.
“At first glance, its effects for Quebec seem limited,” he commented Friday on the social network X, noting that Quebec exports in accordance with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) were already exempt.
“American tariffs on steel, aluminum, lumber and other key sectors remain in place and continue to weaken our industries, our jobs and our regions,” Boulet stressed.
The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify his tariffs imposed on several countries around the world, and fentanyl-related tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China.
The court thus limited its widespread use of national security provisions to redirect international trade.
This setback for the White House tenant does not prevent him from resorting to other mechanisms to impose sectoral tariffs on the steel, aluminum, automotive, wood and other industries.
Stakeholders from Quebec’s economic and union sectors pointed out that Friday’s ruling is far from putting an end to the trade war with our southern neighbors.
The president of the CSN, Caroline Senneville, is among them.
“We welcome this decision by the United States Supreme Court, but not everything is settled for the Quebec economy. A significant number of American tariffs continue to affect several of our sectors, such as aluminum, steel, copper and forest products,” she reacted in a written statement.
Julie White, President and CEO of Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters, agrees. She calls for “finding sustainable solutions for the sectors still affected if we want to support our businesses.”
While the Supreme Court ruling “gives a victory to American consumers and trading partners (…), future access to the American market remains uncertain,” notes the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI).
“While this decision is great news for free trade, its impact on Canada remains limited and we are not out of the woods yet,” said senior public policy analyst Gabriel Giguère in a statement.
Moreover, the review of the USMCA planned for this year still looms over Canada-US relations, the IEDM points out.
In this context of renegotiation, the president of the CSN calls on Ottawa to defend the sectors still affected by sectoral rights and to “increase its support for the industries and workers affected”.
As a reminder, tariffs on Canadian imports of steel, aluminum, and related products into the United States are 50 per cent. Those on Canadian lumber and related products have been reduced to 45 per cent.
— With information from the Associated Press
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
