Quebec faces steep tariffs as Canada-U.S. trade talks collapse

Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. collapsed Saturday, triggering new 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on about $28 billion in Canadian exports, with Quebec expected to bear much of the economic pain. Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from negotiations over what he called "unfair" last-minute demands. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer disputed Carney's account Monday, saying the sticking point was regulations affecting tech companies and Canadian content requirements, not French language protections. Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said Washington sought concessions on French-language rules for appliances and manuals, calling it a "red line" for the province. Canada will match the tariffs "dollar for dollar" on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics, with details expected after Labour Day. Quebec will offer relief loans to affected businesses starting Monday, as an FCCQ survey found 68.3 per cent favoured an agreement even with significant concessions.