Ontario Premier Doug Ford doubled down on his plea to Mark Carney: Don’t lift tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as Canada’s prime minister heads to China for a trade trip this week.
Speaking alongside Michigan representatives at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, Ford said he was “very concerned” about a potential rollback of tariffs that would allow the Chinese government to “dump cheap Chinese parts and cheap cars here, hurting Canadian and American jobs.”
“I am absolutely, 100 percent opposed to this,” Ford said.
“It’s bad for Ontario and Canada, and it’s certainly bad for the United States — and it’s not going to be good when negotiating with President Trump.”
Canada has launched trade incentives against China in recent years, and the government, in sync with then-U.S. President Joe Biden, imposed a 100% tariff on electric vehicles, arguing that the measure was necessary to protect Canada’s domestic auto industry.
China retaliated with tariffs on canola, seafood and pork. Ottawa has since been under pressure, particularly from Prairie premiers, to lift those tariffs and provide relief to Canadian farmers, producers and harvesters.
Prime Minister to discuss trade, energy, agriculture and security
Carney’s arrival in China will be the first visit by a British Prime Minister to China since 2017. Carney’s office said the overall goal of his trip was to increase “engagement in trade, energy, agriculture and international security” while meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will join Carney on the trip to address China’s tariffs on canola.
Ford said Tuesday he fully understands Moe’s negotiating position because he is “protecting Saskatchewan,” but added it is his job to protect Ontario and its auto industry.
The premier also said his stance would be different if Chinese manufacturers opened factories in Ontario and invested in the province.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, expressed the same view in an interview with CBC Radio. subway morning Tuesday.
“If they’re willing to invest here and then buy Canadian supplies and raw materials and hire Canadian workers, then they will become Canadian vehicles as well,” Volpe said.
new world of trade
He also said it was important for Canada to reshape its relationship with China after the “new world” brought about by U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, but insisted Carney should “proceed with caution.”
“Yes, agricultural workers … absolutely deserve the chance to go out there and negotiate with an open mind, but we remind him that all the things he said two years ago are still true today,” Volpe said.
Last year, China’s ambassador to Canada said Chinese electric car giant BYD was interested in investing in Canada.
Wang Di told the Globe and Mail that BYD “had carefully considered investing in Canada,” but “encountered huge difficulties, restrictions and obstacles, and they had to give up.”
He told the newspaper in March that the EV maker’s presence in Canada would provide Canadians with “high-quality” and less expensive electric vehicles.
