TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada should not ease tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles unless China commits to building a manufacturing facility in Ontario and employing unionized Canadian workers.
Speaking Thursday at a news conference ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upcoming visit to Beijing, Ford said the province strongly supports maintaining federal tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles unless they are produced locally.
“We can’t back down,” Ford said, emphasizing that the only acceptable compromise would be Chinese automakers opening an EV factory in Ontario and hiring Unifor workers. “If they want to come here, invest, and manufacture vehicles in Ontario, then let’s talk. But we won’t accept cars being shipped in that aren’t built by Ontarians.”
Carney is scheduled to travel to China next week, where he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017. The trip comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify trade relationships amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Canada currently maintains 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and certain hybrid vehicles — a policy introduced under the previous federal government and supported by Ontario. In response, China imposed steep retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola products, a move that has significantly affected Canadian farmers.
Chinese officials have indicated they would lift those canola tariffs if Canada removes its EV duties. Ford rejected that approach, arguing the tariffs are necessary to protect domestic manufacturing and remain aligned with U.S. trade policy.
Ford said maintaining a firm stance could also strengthen Canada’s position in upcoming negotiations related to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement review, expected later this year.
The premier added that Canada’s premiers are united in supporting the federal government during trade negotiations and expressed confidence that Canada can secure a fair deal amid ongoing global trade pressures.
Carney is expected to visit China from Jan. 13 to 17, with trade, investment, and market access expected to feature prominently in discussions.