Ford escalates criticism of federal China EV deal, calls vehicles ‘spy’ risks
Ontario Premier Doug Ford renewed his attack on Ottawa’s tariff cut for Chinese-made EVs, calling them a job threat and a national security risk while Unifor condemns the move.
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By Torontoer Staff
Ontario Premier Doug Ford renewed his criticism of the federal government’s recent agreement to lower tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, saying the move threatens Canadian auto jobs and raises national security concerns. He used strong language at a municipal conference in Toronto, calling the cars “spy vehicles” and repeating claims about surveillance risks.
Ford framed his remarks around protections for autoworkers and cross-border implications, and his position aligns with concerns voiced by Unifor and other industry figures.
Ford: deal risks jobs and security
Speaking at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association annual meeting, Ford criticised the federal decision to reduce tariffs on Chinese-made EVs and said he would continue to stand with workers and their union. He warned the policy could undercut domestic production and allow vehicles to move through Canada into the United States.
I will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our autoworkers and with Unifor — the hardworking people.
Doug Ford
Ford also repeated more pointed security claims about Chinese-made technology. He suggested that vehicles could be used for surveillance and said people should not assume their phone calls are private when using connected technology in the cars.
When you get on your cell phone, it’s the Chinese that are listening to your – and I’m not making this stuff up, they’re going to be listening to your telephone conversation.
Doug Ford
When the prime minister and his team are over there, they use burner phones.
Doug Ford
Union and industry response
Unifor, the union representing roughly 40,000 workers in Canada’s auto sector, condemned the deal, calling it damaging to an industry already under strain. The union has expressed concern about timing, since a review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement is scheduled later this year and goods move freely across the North American supply chain.
A self-inflicted wound to an already injured Canadian auto industry.
Unifor
Federal position and details of the deal
The trade package announced after the prime minister’s visit to Beijing includes provisions to import Chinese-made EVs under the most-favoured-nation tariff rate, and aims to open the door to Chinese investment in Canada’s EV supply chain. The federal government says the arrangement will help protect and create auto manufacturing careers and support a build-out of the domestic EV supply chain.
- Initial import figure: 49,000 EVs from China at the most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%
- Projected growth: about 70,000 EVs over five years
- Unifor membership in auto sector: roughly 40,000 workers
- Includes related measures on canola exports and a visa waiver for short visits to China
The federal government is positioning the deal as both an economic opportunity and a way to secure long-term investment in Canada’s auto sector. Officials say the arrangement comes with security cooperation commitments and mechanisms to manage evolving threats.
The security landscape continues to change. In a world that is more dangerous and divided, we face many threats. My responsibility as the prime minister, the job of the government, is to manage those threats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney
What to expect next
The dispute is likely to shape federal-provincial relations and consultations with industry in the months ahead. Ford’s statements increase pressure on Ottawa to explain the deal’s safeguards, while Unifor will continue lobbying for protections for Canadian manufacturing jobs. The upcoming CUSMA review adds another layer of complexity, as cross-border supply chains are central to North American auto production.
At the same time, the federal government maintains the agreement includes steps to manage security risks and to attract investment into Canada’s EV sector. That claim will be tested as implementation details emerge and imports begin to arrive.
The political and industry debate will focus on balancing short-term job protections with longer-term goals for electrification and domestic supply chains. Both sides say they are protecting Canadian workers and national security, but they differ on how to achieve those outcomes.
Doug Fordelectric vehiclesChinatradeUniforauto industrynational securityMark Carney
