Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Ontario Premier Doug Ford has sharply criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly announced trade agreement with China, warning that it could undermine Canada’s auto sector and threaten domestic jobs by opening the door to a surge of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
In a social media post on Friday, Ford said the deal would give China a strategic entry point into the Canadian market, allowing it to compete aggressively at the expense of Canadian workers. He argued that the agreement lacks safeguards to protect domestic manufacturing and long-term economic interests.
Prime Minister Carney earlier announced that Canada had reached an understanding with Beijing under which China would reduce tariffs on select Canadian exports, including canola, seafood and vegetables. In return, Canada would allow the import of up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles annually at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. According to Carney, those vehicles would represent roughly three per cent of Canada’s overall auto market.
Ford, however, said the arrangement risks flooding Canada with low-cost EVs without firm commitments for reciprocal investment in Canadian factories, supply chains or job creation. He also cautioned that easing tariffs on Chinese vehicles could jeopardise Canada’s access to the U.S. market, its largest trading partner.
The premier reiterated his opposition to lowering barriers on Chinese EVs, arguing that cheaper imports could undercut vehicles produced in Canada. He also warned that the move could complicate Canada’s relationship with the United States, particularly as negotiations over the USMCA trade agreement continue under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Canada imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024, aligning its policy with the United States. China responded with retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products, including canola and pork.
Ford called on the federal government to reverse course, urging Ottawa to prioritise support for Ontario’s auto industry. He said the government should end the federal electric vehicle mandate, align regulations with major trading partners and eliminate federal fees that raise vehicle costs for consumers.
Rather than relying on imports, Ford said Ottawa should work with Ontario to attract investment and protect manufacturing jobs in communities such as Brampton, Oshawa and Ingersoll, where production lines are either under threat or have already shut down.
Ontario’s auto sector has been facing sustained pressure due to trade tensions with the United States, prompting some American automakers to scale back operations or relocate work south of the border. Rising vehicle prices, driven by inflation and the cancellation of consumer rebates, have further complicated the transition to electric vehicles in the province.
