Parti Québécois (PQ) Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet met in Quebec City on Tuesday afternoon to discuss, among other things, a strategy to improve trade relations with the United States.
Following a meeting that lasted about an hour, the PQ leader explained that the discussion was intended in part to “develop a joint strategy” for “gradually de-escalating tariffs,” noting that the results of the U.S. midterm elections suggest that Americans “want to get rid of” these customs duties.
In an effort to lower tensions and improve trade with the Americans, the PQ leader sent letters to approximately 60 newly elected officials in U.S. states with which Quebec conducts trade — a move first reported by the Journal de Québec on Tuesday morning.
The initiative does not appear to have been well received by Carney, who remarked that “in any negotiation, it is always a good idea to have a single negotiator.”
While visiting Montreal, Carney added that negotiations regarding trade relations with the United States fall “within the jurisdiction of the federal government.”
However, according to St-Pierre Plamondon, “Carney would prefer that we not lace up our skates or even step onto the ice, because he wants the rink all to himself.”
The PQ leader maintained that, in Quebec, “we have always taken our place, and what I am doing with these letters is consistent with actions taken by previous governments.” He added that this initiative was undertaken “in the interest of the people of Quebec.”
This article from La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews.
Add CityNews Montreal as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.
