How the French language contributes to the US-Canada trade war

The trade war between the United States and Canada has taken on the flavour of a culture war following the collapse of negotiations last week. According to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the dispute with the nation's largest trading partner is not just about tariff demands but what he deems unacceptable "threats" to the French language and "Quebec culture." While not typical sticking points in trade negotiations, for Canada they are emotive ones – particularly in the French-speaking eastern province of Quebec, which has long sought to preserve its distinct identity. Read more‘We don’t need Canada’: Trump threatens to double auto tariffs after trade talks collapse Carney said Canadian subsidies to support Francophone culture, the role of Francophone online media and bilingual labelling of products sold in Canada were among the issues at stake. He described these as "fundamental rights" and said there was "a huge gap between Canadian and American perspectives." The prime minister also contended that the US wanted to destroy Canada's automotive, steel and aluminum industries, and to restrict Canadian trade deals with other countries. After the breakdown of talks, Canada now face...