Customs tariffs on February 1 | François Legault will help Quebecers “at all costs”

(Saint-Sauveur) Prime Minister François Legault repeats the same refrain as during the COVID-19 crisis and promises to “protect Quebecers at all costs” against the 25% customs tariffs on Canadian products that Donald Trump could impose the 1^is FEBRUARY.

The Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, is also opening the door to a postponement of the return to a balanced budget if the American president carries out his threats.

In a brief speech to his deputies gathered in Saint-Sauveur on Tuesday, François Legault drew a parallel between the pandemic that he had to manage during his first term and the threats of Donald Trump who mark in a “a little bit stiff” way. the start of the year. He maintained that he will use the same recipe to face this new challenge.

“I want to send a very clear message to Quebecers: no matter what Mr. Trump is going to do, I want to tell Quebecers that we will protect you at all costs. We will get through this together,” he said on the first day of a meeting of the CAQ caucus to prepare for the return to the National Assembly on January 28.

On Monday, François Legault responded that he could not guarantee in the circumstances that the budget balance will be achieved as planned in 2029-2030.

On Tuesday, the government’s big financier opened the door to a postponement, even if he still intends to present a plan to return to zero deficit during the budget.

“Presenting a plan to return to balanced budget is an obligation under the law. So it’s certain that we will do it, that we will prepare it and that we will be ready. The question is: will we be able to execute it if there is a force majeure, if the economy had significant repercussions following the imposition of tariffs? At that time, there is a force majeure, we take note of it and there would be impacts,” he explained.

Mr. Girard added that the priority will be to “support our economy”. The government is preparing an aid plan for businesses and citizens inspired by what it did during the pandemic, he said.

He mentioned loans at very advantageous rates to help businesses that have liquidity problems.

Businesses could also benefit from relaxations on the environmental front. The Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, pointed out that Donald Trump, in addition to reiterating his threats about tariffs, withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement in one of his first decrees. According to him, Quebec cannot continue to raise its green requirements in such circumstances.

“Our plan […] will take into account the new political situation. We will adjust. If we have businesses that are already largely penalized, we will not impose a burden on them,” said the minister, who must update his Plan for a Green Economy this spring.