The recent meeting between Québec Premier François Legault and U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris, at the reopening of Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral, was as much symbolic as it was practical. Taking advantage of the absence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Legault had the opportunity to shake hands with the next American head of state and exchange a few words. This gesture, albeit discreet, shows that Québec intends to explore certain diplomatic avenues directly, without necessarily confining itself to the federal route alone.
Beyond the protocol aspect, this meeting illustrates an evolution in the dynamics of Canada's international relations. Increasingly, the provinces, including Québec and Ontario, are asserting their ability to establish direct commercial contacts with the United States. The current political context, marked by a certain weakening of federal authority, seems to be opening up new areas for action. Anticipating these developments, Québec has considerably strengthened its trade delegations in the United States in recent years. This investment could prove beneficial, especially if the provinces continue to seek to extend their economic relations beyond the usual frameworks.
Certainly, Donald Trump's presidency brings uncertainties, but it also brings opportunities to reassess the economic ties between Québec and its main trading partner. The United States remains Québec's number one export market, so it is important for the province not to rely exclusively on federal guidance. By using its networks and developing its own approaches, Québec intends to raise the visibility of its companies and consolidate their commercial ties, without necessarily waiting for Canada to act first.
Québec has always been one of Canada's most free-trade-friendly provinces, which gives it an advantage in a context where trade diplomacy is beginning to be shared out differently between jurisdictions. Today, the involvement of a variety of players – whether provincial delegations, sectoral groupings or specialized agencies – enables us to adopt more flexible and targeted approaches, in tune with the needs of specific markets.
Nevertheless, many Québec companies, particularly in the aluminum, lumber and agricultural products industries, are concerned about the possibility of new tariffs imposed by Washington. These tariff tensions, which have drawn attention in the past, underline the importance of reaching more stable agreements to ensure the predictability needed to maintain and grow these strategic sectors of the Québec economy.
By pursuing this path, Québec hopes to consolidate its economic position in North America and better adapt to the growing complexity of contemporary trade relations.
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