‘Not even sure he knows himself’: Quebec premier throws shade at Trump’s confusing negotiation style

Canadian leaders are lowering their expectations about reaching a new economic and security deal with U.S. President Donald Trump by August 1. Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial premiers met in Muskoka, north of Toronto, to discuss the ongoing negotiations with the United States.

According to Politico, the meeting, which lasted three hours, showed a clear shift in tone from earlier optimistic statements. The leaders now emphasize getting a good deal rather than rushing to meet the deadline, even as Trump threatens to impose 35 percent tariffs on Canadian imports if no agreement is reached by August. These tariffs would significantly impact various goods and products that Canada exports to the U.S.

Quebec Premier François Legault expressed frustration with Trump’s negotiation style, stating, ‘You almost need to ask Donald Trump, and I’m not even sure he knows himself what he wants.’ This unpredictability has been a hallmark of Trump’s approach to various policy announcements.” This sentiment was echoed by other provincial leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who described Trump as “very, very hard” to deal with due to his changing positions.

Canadian negotiators prepare for crucial talks in Washington

A team of Canadian negotiators, including Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Carney’s chief-of-staff Marc-André Blanchard, is heading to Washington this week for further discussions. The talks aim to protect Canadian interests across various sectors, including aluminum, steel, auto, and lumber.

The White House has stated that the threatened 35 percent tariff would only apply to goods that don’t comply with the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the final details will be left to Trump’s discretion, creating uncertainty for Canadian businesses and trade relations.

During the meeting, the premiers worked on developing strategies to counter the potential economic impact of Trump’s tariffs. Their plans include launching large infrastructure projects, reducing trade barriers between provinces, and promoting a “buy Canadian” approach to support domestic businesses.

The Canadian leadership received guidance from former U.S. ambassadors Gary Doer and David McNaughton, who previously helped negotiate the USMCA. Prime Minister Carney emphasized that any agreement must “preserve, reinforce and stabilize” the Canada-U.S. relationship. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt summed up the general consensus, stating, “We want a good deal, not a fast deal, and we don’t want to make a fast deal in exchange for a good deal.”