French-Language Streaming Rules Emerge as Sticking Point in U.S.-Canada Trade Talks

U.S. negotiators want Canada to roll back policies promoting French-language and Canadian content on streaming services. Canada's 2025 Throne Speech called French "at the heart of Canadian identity," tying the rules to constitutional obligations toward francophone minorities. USTR Greer called the requirement "discriminatory," not a language issue. Ottawa's counter-tariffs take effect September 8, 2026.