Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette offered her support to Bombardier’s CEO after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to stop the sale of products from the Montreal-based company in the U.S. Trump said in a social media post that the aircraft aren’t “good enough” and said that if Canada wants to keep selling Bombardier aircraft in the U.S., they must be built there. Fréchette said in a social media post that she would not respond to provocation with provocation. “Bombardier is a source of pride for Quebec, a flagship of our economy, and a major player in our aerospace industry. Behind this company are thousands of Quebec workers who showcase our expertise around the world,” she wrote. “Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce in order to access a market. We will defend our companies, our workers, and our expertise with resolve.” Canadian retaliatory tariffs impacting nearly $28 billion worth of more than 700 American goods are set to take effect at midnight Tuesday. They range from 15 to 50 per cent and will target a wide range of products. The retailatory tariffs are a response to the 50 per cent tariffs imposed by Trump on $28 billion worth of Canadian goods in July. The tariffs came into effect Aug. 22 after Canada and the U.S. failed to reach an agreement in multiple trade talks. These measures are expected to have the greatest impact on Quebec of all the provinces. Bombardier currently employs about 3,000 people in the U.S., while approximately 2,800 U.S. suppliers are part of its supply chain.
