Trump “unpredictable”: Québec relies on u.s. governors

File Photo, Simon Clark

Marc-André Gagnon

Wednesday, 16 August, 2017 14:41

UPDATE
Wednesday, 16 August, 2017 19:13

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QUEBEC | in Front of nature “unpredictable” by Donald Trump, the government of Québec relies primarily on the governors of the american States with a view to the renegotiation of the free trade Agreement north american (NAFTA).

“Mr. Trump, I think you’ve seen […] that it is a little bit unpredictable,” said quebec’s minister of international Relations Christine St-Pierre, while opened, to Washington, the first round of the renegotiation of the NAFTA.

“But we, continued Mrs. St-Pierre, […] our relations, especially with the american States with whom we are partners.”

Before the journalists which were waiting at the entrance to the council of ministers, Quebec city, the minister St-Pierre has shown confident.

“We are not worried. It is very, very rigorous in our approach. We have worked very hard, she told. When preparing for an exam, we study. Well we, for months, we’re on the ground.”

Work hard

In recent months, the Québec government has increased the bilateral meetings.

Philippe Couillard, who was in Washington last June, will be in Charlottetown (Île-du-Prince-Édouard), on 27 and 28 August in order to participate in the 41st annual Conference of the governors of New England and premiers of eastern Canada.

The prime minister of Québec intends to take advantage of the opportunity to promote economic integration among canadian and american partners.

“You have to work very hard to make it clear to the americans that free trade, it is also good for them, said Ms. St-Pierre. There are 35 states that have, as their first market in Canada. So when you talk to governors who as the first market in Canada […] (and) also the Quebec, they hold to the free trade agreement.”

In the United States, not less than 14 million jobs depend on free trade, has underlined the minister of international Relations.

Of this number, 9 million depend on free trade with Canada, and 5 million with Mexico.

“We feel that the governors americans see this issue as an important issue, summarized Ms. St-Pierre. […] They know that there are people who work, who get up every day, in the morning, go to work in a factory that depends on the free-trade agreements with Canada.”