Between response and conciliation, French-speaking mayors divided in the face of the tariff threat

Just like the provincial premiers who are meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday for a presentation of the federal strategy in the face of possible American customs tariffs, mayors and reeves of Francophone municipalities in Manitoba do not agree on the approach to adopt in the face of to threats from President-elect Donald Trump.

It is time for the United States, then other countries in the world, to recognize us as a sovereign country and then to respect us.drops Armand Poirier, the mayor of the rural municipality of Taché. If we kneel before the United States […]where will it end?

Donald Trump has warned Ottawa that he will sign an executive order imposing customs tariffs of 25% on all Canadian products shipped to the United States as soon as he is inaugurated next Monday.

Even if Mr. Poirier hesitates to speak of a strong method, he believes that it is necessary for Canada to demonstrate its capacity to govern yourself and […] make strong decisions.

He also worries about the possibility that American demands will increase over the coming years.

This will cause a lot of problems at all levels of the economy.

In his opinion, the federal government must make clear to our southern neighbors the costs that such tariffs could have on their own economy.

Raymond Maynard, the mayor of Saint-Pierre Jolys, does not agree. Rather, he recommends the gentle method.

He fears that the strong method does not lead to an escalation that is harmful to the economies of both countries.

It’s going to be like two young people getting ready to have a fight.

It’s going to be the worst thing, for me, for the province and for Canadahe believes. With the gentle method, at least, there is a chance that everything can be resolved in a short time.

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The prefect of the rural municipality of Sainte-Anne, Richard Pelletier, agrees.

We must work together with the United States, without a doubthe said.

Richard Pelletier believes that a reasonable agreement for both sides is possible.

I think we can work together without wanting to arguehe said. If the Americans decide they don’t want to do business with the rest of us, we’re going to really suffer.

You have to keep a very good understanding.

Mr. Pelletier fears that possible customs tariffs will have a hard impact on the municipality, which relies in particular on its pork exports.

We have a lot of talent, we have a lot of resources, which we want to share with the Americanshe said. If we cannot sell our product, it will cause job losses which will really damage the economy.

With information from Abdoulaye Cissoko