Legault calls for export tax on aluminum if U.S. follows through on tariffs

Quebec Premier François Legault called for an export tax on Canadian aluminum to the United States, in retaliation to President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, during his visit to Washington with Canada's 12 other premiers on Wednesday. 

Though Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Ottawa would impose counter-tariffs on American goods, it's unclear whether the federal government or the other premiers support Legault's proposal. 

Legault also said he would only want Canada to impose counter-tariffs if the U.S. does in fact enact the 25 per cent tariffs, scheduled to take effect March 12, and that he would prefer to get Trump to back off of his threats altogether instead.

Tuesday, at the Quebec office in the U.S. capital, Legault told reporters Quebec is the largest aluminum exporter to the U.S. He called Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs "ridiculous." Those tariffs could be in addition to the blanket 25 per cent tariffs Trump has threatened to impose on all Canadian and Mexican goods. 

The export tax, Legault said, standing in front of Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, "would incite our aluminum producers to export to Europe, to Asia and elsewhere in the world to make it difficult for the American government, which would have to pay more transport fees by importing aluminum from Asia and other places." 

According to Legault, the U.S. can't do without Quebec aluminum as 75 per cent of the metal produced in North America comes from the province, according to the province's Economy Ministry. 

WATCH | Quebec premier wants to convince Trump to back down on tariffs: 

Legault says retaliation on U.S. should come in 'only if' tariffs are actually enacted

12 hours ago

Duration 1:19

Quebec Premier François Legault says the first choice in the growing trade fight with the U.S. is a deal that avoids tariffs — but at an appearance in Washington alongside all of Canada's premiers he stressed that 'we have to prepare' and floated the idea of export tariffs on products like aluminum.

The provincial and territorial premiers will meet Wednesday with a handful of American elected officials, including Republican Adrian Smith, who chairs a subcommittee on trade.

They have also been invited to a dinner organized by the Canadian Council for American-Canadian Business.

Legault has also planned a meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and an interview with Politico magazine.