(Edinburgh) Prime Minister Franకోois Legalt has tightened his voice against China.
He accused Quebec’s second financial partner of unfair competition.
He also questioned the type of trade relations being maintained with the Chinese giant, suggesting an opening to impose defensive measures.
The context is already difficult: Canada’s relations with China have deteriorated significantly since the Meng Wanzhou affair, and Mr Legalt soon declined to comment on a possible mission to China – but this tradition from Rene Lewesque to Quebec premieres.
During his mission to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP26 in Glasgow, Mr. Legalt was particularly critical of China’s absence from this major international summit when it planned to increase its gas emissions.Greenhouse effect (GHG). Decade.
“I’m worried about that,” he told the Canadian Press on Friday. The Prime Minister dropped the gloves and used very common but very strong language in diplomacy.
“China will not compete on an equal footing with North America,” he lamented.
“We need to question our trade relations with China if it does not set the same environmental standards as the others.”
What is the imposition of tough environmental measures on Quebec companies and pricing for their emissions, Mr. Legalt suggests, if the Chinese empire does not impose the same restrictions and fill our markets with low-cost products.
“We need to ask questions about our trade with China,” he warned.
He reminded that Quebec’s trade balance with China was largely in deficit.
According to 2019 data from the Institut de la statistique du Québec, China exported nearly 13 billion items to Quebec, while Quebec exported 3.3 billion and the trend slowed.
“It’s detrimental to job creation in Quebec,” Mr. Legalt concluded.
However, he was “realistic”, in his words: Quebec was not the only one to deceive China.
“We must come together, Canada, the United States, the European Union, to persuade them to make changes. ”
China mainly exports computers, telephones, seats and spare parts for beds and aeronautics to Quebec.
Quebec exports iron ore, pork, vehicles and aircraft simulators.
From Renనే Lewesk in 1984, Quebec premieres launched missions in China. Philippe Coillard was the last person to continue this tradition in 2014 and 2018. Quebec is also paired with a partner named Shandong State.
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