U.S. lists Quebecs language law as trade barrier, Legault has no intention of softening [Video]

Quebec has no intention of softening its language laws, Premier François Legault said Tuesday after the United States listed his government’s French-language reform as a barrier to trade.

“It’s non-negotiable,” Legault told The Canadian Press during an economic mission in Hannover, Germany, one day before President Donald Trump is expected to impose new tariffs on Canada under the pretext that U.S. companies are being treated unfairly north of the border.

“There may be compromises we can make on certain products like aluminum,” Legault said about Quebec’s major export that has been hit with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs. “But there is no question of compromising on French.”

On Monday, the office of the U.S. trade representative released a report on “foreign trade barriers” and included Quebec’s Bill 96, a sweeping reform strengthening the province’s language law. Describing the legislation as a “technical barrier to trade,” the report says U.S. firms …