Doug Ford Is Furious about the EV Deal Carney Made with China | The Walrus

"Announced on Friday, the agreement will allow up to 49,000 electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a reduced tariff rate. In exchange, China will decrease its levies on canola and other Canadian products. Ford argued that the deal would not only hurt the country's auto industry, but also threaten Canadian security. "Once the camel gets his head in the tent, his whole body is in the tent," he contended,"

"Charlotte Yates, president and founding director of the Automotive Policy Research Centre-a non-profit research centre focused on the Canadian automotive industry-says she wasn't surprised that Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to China resulted in a deal, but she was surprised by the content of the deal. "I think Carney had gone to China looking to make some trade-offs," she says. "I didn't know how much he would give up, but he needed to do something. I'm not sure that we had any other option.""

"In 2025, the United States imposed a 25 percent levy on Canadian automobiles. Where did that leave the Canadian auto sector? Canada exports the bulk of its vehicles to the US, but Trump has been very clear: he doesn't think the US needs Canadian-made cars. He seems fine with Canadian automotive parts moving back and forth-but not Canadian cars. As long as that is his position, the Canadian auto industry is going to shrink."

The federal government reached a trade agreement with China allowing up to 49,000 electric vehicles into Canada at reduced tariffs in exchange for lower Chinese levies on canola and other products. Ontario premier Doug Ford condemned the deal, arguing it would harm the domestic auto industry and pose security risks, warning about potential Chinese spy vehicles. Automotive policy expert Charlotte Yates found the deal unsurprising after a diplomatic trip but was surprised by its content and concessions. A prior 2025 U.S. 25 percent levy on Canadian automobiles has already pressured the Canadian auto sector and risks further contraction.

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