(Montreal) In response to the tariff threats brandished by President-elect Donald Trump, Québec solidaire (QS) is asking Prime Minister François Legault to consider increasing the price of hydroelectricity sold in the United States.
Posted at 8:29 a.m.
In a press release released Sunday morning, QS co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal invites the Prime Minister to consider this measure, in the event that the American president carries out his threat to impose customs tariffs of 25% on Canadian products.
“In this context of trade tensions, a united government would not hesitate to raise significant price increases for electricity sold on the American east coast to gain respect. Quebec must stand up to Trump,” said Mr.me Ghazal, in the same press release.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
QS co-spokeswoman Ruba Ghazal
According to her, hydroelectricity is “one of our greatest negotiating assets to stand up to this imperialist president.”
Nearly three-quarters of Hydro-Québec’s exports are destined for the United States. A united government would not hesitate to put an end to the tariff giveaways that states like New York benefit from, in order to protect the economy and jobs here.
Ruba Ghazal, QS co-spokesperson, in a statement
Hydro-Québec also specifies on its website that approximately half of Quebec’s electricity exports are intended for the New England region, which includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
In the press release, Mme Ghazal also maintains that “the disorganization of the federal government in the face of threats from the President of the United States is one more reason to achieve the independence of Quebec.”
“More than ever, we see that being in a disunited and dysfunctional Canada weakens Quebec on the international scene,” said the supportive MP.
