Quebec premier touted supply management while meeting top U.S. trade negotiator

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette makes a funding announcement at the Rosemont-Maisonneuve Hospital in Montreal on Thursday, April 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

WASHINGTON — Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says she touted the importance of Canada’s supply management system for the dairy industry while meeting with a top U.S. official.

Fréchette met with Jamieson Greer, the top trade negotiator for President Donald Trump, in Washington on Monday.

Her trip to the U.S. capital comes ahead of negotiations between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico on the continental free-trade pact, scheduled to begin July 1.

American officials have repeatedly called for Canada to abandon its supply management system, which protects dairy and egg producers in Canada by restricting imports.

The U.S. has also listed Quebec’s language laws, which requires companies to translate labels into French, as a trade barrier.

After a day of meetings, Fréchette told reporters on Monday she defended the benefits of free trade and Quebec’s positions on the French language.

Fréchette said Greer did not push back about Canada’s supply management system.

“He didn’t press that point. Does that mean he agrees with me? I wouldn’t go that far, but he didn’t press the issue,” Fréchette said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2026.