Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to uphold Canada’s 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, emphasizing its importance in negotiating a trade agreement with the U.S. and safeguarding Canada’s automotive industry. Carney recently discussed China’s canola tariffs with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, believed to be a retaliatory response to the electric vehicle tariff.
China imposes a 76 percent tariff on Canadian canola seed imports and a 100 percent tariff on canola oil, meal, and peas. In an open letter to the prime minister, Ford focused on the significance of the electric vehicle tariff without mentioning the canola issue.
Ford argues that the tariff is crucial in protecting 157,000 jobs and the substantial $46 billion investment made by both Ontario and federal governments in advancing Canada’s electric vehicle and battery supply chain since 2020. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has stated that the finance department is currently evaluating the electric vehicle tariff.