Quebec's representative for the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is warning that Ottawa's strategy of waiting and not rushing to sign a tariff relief deal with the United States carries its own risk because things could get worse.
Blais sounds alarm on uncertainty
Louise Blais, an experienced diplomat who has served in embassies in Washington, Tokyo and Paris, was named Canada's consul general in Atlanta in 2014 and later served as Canada's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in New York between 2017 and 2021. She said she had been providing informal advice to the Quebec government on a pro bono basis for about a year before Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette asked her to take on a more formal role as an emissary for the province during the CUSMA review.
It is customary for Quebec to name representatives during trade negotiations. Raymond Bachand, a former finance minister, served as chief negotiator for the province in 2017 during the renegotiation that led to CUSMA under Trump's first mandate. Blais noted that this time is different because the North American trade deal is up for review, not a chapter-by-chapter renegotiation.
Quebec urges immediate engagement
In an interview, Blais rejected the idea that there is no urgency for Canada to sign a trade deal with its neighbour. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently told the CBC that other unnamed countries are unhappy with agreements they reached with the United States. Blais said Quebec believes that engagement must be constant and without delay. The uncertainty is having real impacts, she said, pointing to companies in Quebec that are closing, particularly in the forestry sector and related industries.
Just this week, South Shore Furniture, a Quebec-based furniture maker, announced it is closing its doors after 86 years of operation. The company blamed U.S. tariffs and the dumping of cheap furniture from Asia for the drop in demand in recent years. After another furniture store, Bestar, announced its shutdown, Unifor declared that Quebec's furniture manufacturing sector is in jeopardy.
Risk of worsening conditions
Blais said the Quebec government sees danger in delaying an agreement because the Trump administration might make things worse. She pointed to recent changes to metal tariffs that came out of nowhere. As of April 6, the U.S. imposed a 25 per cent tariff on the entire value of derivative goods made of metals, impacting hundreds of products. She said there is only so long that companies can hold on for respite and a solution.
Blais emphasized that the province intends to work as a team with the federal government and will share its opinion. It is about contributing our voice, she said.
