Visiting Washington, Legault calls tariffs on steels and aluminum 'ridiculous'
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Quebec Premier François Legault has undertaken a diplomatic mission to Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with aluminum and steel importers and hoping to help them convince United States President Donald Trump to back down on announced tariffs.
Legault arrived in the U.S. capital on Tuesday, holding a series of meetings at Quebec's Washington office. The last time the premier visited the city was five years ago.
Wednesday, Legault will join 12 other Canadian premiers on their mission to Washington in response to the tariff threats.
In the afternoon, Legault met with representatives of the National Association of Home Builders, whose head of public affairs, Ken Wingert, is a powerful lobbyist, according to Washingtonian Magazine.
Wingert told Legault that the United States needed Canadian lumber, contrary to what Trump has claimed, and that Americans face a major housing shortage.
Wingert said he believes the tariffs are a negotiating tool for Trump.
"I don't understand," Legault quipped. "Are our prices too high?"
Legault also met with representatives of the Aluminum Association, Rio Tinto, Alcoa and Alstom.
Wednesday, he is expected to meet with U.S. elected officials, including three Democrats — Representatives Tim Kennedy, Don Beyer and Marilyn Strickland — and two Republicans, Representatives Adrian Smith and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
Smith is a member of the House Commerce Subcommittee, while Miller-Meeks serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Legault held a briefing to reporters Tuesday, reacting to the 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, expected to come into effect March 12.
"Just take aluminum. In the United States, 5.9 million tonnes of aluminum are consumed per year and they only produce 800,000 tonnes — 14 per cent of their needs," Legault said. "So, what they are doing right now is ridiculous."
Legault said he came to Washington find a way to reach a new agreement between Canada and the United States.
"A win-win agreement," he said.
In a post on X Monday, Legault wrote that he wanted to remind Americans that Quebec is the largest aluminum exporter to the U.S. and that he wanted to "vigorously defend the interests of Quebec and its workers."
WATCH | Here's what Canada's premiers are up to in Washington:
Canada's premiers head to Washington to fight against Trump tariffs
3 hours ago
Duration 15:02
All 13 of Canada's provincial and territorial premiers are descending on Washington, D.C., for a historic meeting of the minds in an attempt to convince American policymakers and business leaders alike that tariffs are a bad idea for both sides of the border. The Power Panel debates the best-case scenario for the Council of the Federation's trip to Washington.
Some experts say the U.S. president's tariffs are likely the first step in his plan to undermine the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement before a mandatory review in 2026.
Legault has said Canada should begin renegotiating the free-trade agreement with the United States "as soon as possible. We must put an end to this uncertainty," he wrote on social media Sunday.
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SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The measures, promised during the recent federal election campaign, would also create a criminal offence of wilfully intimidating or threatening people attending events at these venues. The minister's statement comes as civil libertarians point to existing provisions intended to curb such behaviour and push back against the idea of new measures that could infringe on freedom of expression and assembly. Tensions have risen in Canadian communities over public protests, many prompted by the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Several Canadian municipalities have taken steps recently to mandate 'bubble zones' that restrict protest activity near such places as religious institutions, schools and child care centres. 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