Just ahead of Quebec’s upcoming provincial election, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed allegations of his interference in French-speaking Canadians as “absurd” in a recent post on his Truth Social account. The trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada hit a snag last week, partly due to concerns raised by Prime Minister Mark Carney over the impact on the French language. Carney highlighted that certain U.S. demands could jeopardize funding for French media and the requirement for bilingual product labeling.

During a speech in Lévis, Que., Carney emphasized that the issue of promoting French-Canadian content on streaming services was a sticking point for American negotiators. He explained that Quebec’s existing laws facilitate easy access to such content, despite American objections regarding labeling requirements.

Trump refuted the accusations in his social media post, stating that he has never considered meddling in French-speaking Canadians’ affairs. He attributed the claim to Prime Minister Carney’s political motives in Quebec. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly responded by emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and values in Canada.

In a move to preserve Quebec’s cultural identity, the Quebec government passed Bill 109 last year, mandating streaming platforms to feature and enhance accessibility to French content. Additionally, Quebec enforces strict rules on product labeling in French, which became a trade irritant for the U.S. in early 2025.