President Trump on Tuesday publicly applauded Quebec’s new separatist premier while also celebrating a conservative shift in British Columbia, continuing to needle Ottawa even as fragile economic negotiations between the two nations appeared to gain momentum.
Speaking to reporters and posting online, the president congratulated Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon for his electoral victory roughly three weeks prior. St-Pierre Plamondon’s center-left party captured 60 of 127 seats in the provincial legislature, leaving it four seats shy of a majority and likely dependent on support from a fellow separatist faction to advance its goals. Although a separate separatist push in Alberta was recently stymied by a recent vote, St-Pierre Plamondon has vowed to hold Quebec’s third referendum on independence, though he has indicated it would not occur until after Trump leaves office.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly emphasized the importance of Canadian unity as the country confronts sustained friction from the American administration. Trump shared an international media report framing the Quebec election results as a setback for Carney that could hinder his efforts to maintain national cohesion against external pressure.
Expanding his commentary on Canadian provincial politics on Tuesday, Trump also congratulated British Columbia’s premier-designate, Lorne Doerkson, following a provincial election that swung the western province’s legislature rightward under the Conservative banner. “Conservatives are moving strong in Canada!” the president wrote on social media. Despite the praise, both Doerkson and St-Pierre Plamondon have rejected suggestions that they are politically aligned with the U.S. president.
The diplomatic crosscurrents coincide with delicate trade negotiations. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett stated in a television interview Sunday that economic talks with Canada have picked up and are gathering steam. Carney confirmed to reporters Monday that bilateral discussions had intensified slightly after collapsing in August.
At the same time, trade tensions remain pronounced. The U.S. Embassy in Canada recently accused Canadian leaders of attempting to influence American politics through reciprocal tariffs targeted at politically sensitive products and states in the United States, an allegation that Canadian officials have denied. Meanwhile, Trump continued his rhetoric from the campaign trail, asserting during a Mississippi appearance that Canada has historically charged massive tariffs and treated the U.S. poorly. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the diplomatic spat.
Domestic political pressures are also shaping the administration’s tariff strategy. Last week, the White House exempted specific Canadian imports from steep 50% tariffs following intense pressure from Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Collins stated she would continue pushing for broader tariff relief and encourage a comprehensive trade agreement with the northern neighbor, highlighting how domestic political calculations continue to complicate the administration’s broader trade agenda alongside ongoing diplomatic friction.
