Canada rejects US deal that would undermine French protections amid tariff spat
Canada refused a U.S. trade proposal that would weaken Quebec’s French-language protections, with Mark Carney instructing negotiators to walk away as tariffs take effect on about 5% of exports and Ottawa vows retaliation. Quebec’s language laws (Bill 96 and related measures) are framed as central to identity, while Trump hammers Canada as a tariff target, prompting domestic backlash from politicians and business groups.