Quebec leaders to confront Donald Trump and his threats of customs tariffs

Two Quebecers, including former Prime Minister Jean Charest, are among the main leaders of a Canadian trade industry group whose mission will be to confront Donald Trump and his 25% customs tariffs.

• Also read: Threats from Trump: already 60 drones and helicopters deployed at the border

• Also read: François Legault writes to the Americans: “A customs tariff on Canada would be self-inflicted damage to America”

President and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada Jean Simard is the co-chair of the newly formed Canada-United States Business Council (CCCEU) since Friday.

Mr. Simard will work alongside Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

They are notably supported by Jean Charest, who is part of a group of expert advisors with other big names, including Steve Verheul, who was appointed as Canada’s chief negotiator for the North-North Free Trade Agreement. (NAFTA) during Donald Trump’s last term.

Representatives from everywhere

Representatives from several sectors (steel, aluminum, forest products, hydrocarbons, agri-food, dairy products, chemicals, banking and other major sectoral groups, such as the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters) and labor organizations participate in this new Canada-United States Business Council.

“This crisis deserves all our efforts, we must take advantage of this critical moment to lead Canada to ensure sustainable growth, in a more secure and competitive commercial environment,” says Jean Simard.

In the current context, all players in the trade industry must join forces in the face of repeated threats from the American president.

“Right now, it is crucial that Canadian business and workers come together to reimagine our future with our largest trading partner, the United States,” says CCCEU co-president Catherine Cobden.

Losing Americans

Senior federal and provincial officials will be invited to join the group regularly to take stock and collect comments and suggestions from members.

During a first meeting of the committee, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman recalled that the Americans would also lose out in a trade war between the two countries.

“Canada purchases the equivalent of $1.3 trillion in goods and services from the United States, making it its largest customer; “The economic security and jobs of millions of Americans depend on our trade,” she said.

Expert advisors from the Canada-United States Business Council

Jean Charest

Former Prime Minister of Quebec

Steve Verheul

Canada’s chief negotiator for the North American Free Trade Agreement during Donald Trump’s previous term

James Moore

Former Conservative Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada
Former Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

Laura Dawson

Former Senior Economic Affairs Advisor at the United States Embassy in Ottawa

Robert (RJ) Johnston

Senior Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University

Adam Taylor

Founder and President of Export Action Global, expert in international transactions