Canada refuses to weaken French-language protections in US trade dispute

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Monday that US negotiators view the French language in Canada as an "irritant," while in Quebec it represents a matter of rights. His stance has drawn broad praise from political leaders after he ordered negotiators last week to walk away from trade talks with the United States over a proposal widely seen as threatening Canada's Francophone culture.

Carney's comments came hours after President Donald Trump posted on social media that Canada had been "ripping off" the US for years, threatening steep new tariffs on cars and trucks. Over the weekend, tariffs on a range of Canadian goods took effect, affecting about 5% of Canada's exports to the US, with Canada planning retaliatory measures in early September.

Touring a shipyard alongside Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette, Carney said Canada "could not accept" a deal that would weaken French-language protections. Quebec, Canada's predominantly French-speaking province, has long defended its distinct identity through laws requiring French on product packaging and prioritizing French content on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify.

Fréchette backed Carney's decision, saying language and culture are central to Quebec's identity and must stay off the negotiating table. The Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce called the tariffs a "worst-case scenario" for local businesses, warning that companies are already losing contracts.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer denied Monday that French-language protections were ever part of the negotiations, saying the real dispute concerned Canada's requirement that streaming platforms fund domestic content. Carney rejected that characterization.

Trump pledged to raise tariffs on vehicles, auto parts and steel starting January 1. Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply criticized Trump, calling him a bully.