Frechette holds cabinet meeting as Quebec prepares for counter-tariffs

Quebec Premier Christine Frechette has called a special virtual cabinet meeting for Monday, pausing part of her election campaign as Canada prepares to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. The meeting is set for the evening, one day before the tariffs are scheduled to take effect. The measures, ranging from 15% to 50%, are expected to cover products such as dairy, steel, copper and some beauty items. They come in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports introduced by President Donald Trump. The move drew criticism from Frechette’s political opponents, who accused her of using the trade dispute for campaign advantage. Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said the cabinet gathering looked staged, while Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime called it a marketing effort. Parti Quebecois Leader Paul StPierre Plamondon said fear should not be used as an economic strategy.