Ford says Carney’s China EV deal threatens Ontario auto jobs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Ottawa to act after Prime Minister Mark Carney struck an agreement with China to cut tariffs on some EVs, warning it risks jobs and U.S. market access.
Copy link
By Torontoer Staff
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called on the federal government to move quickly to protect the province's auto sector after Prime Minister Mark Carney reached an agreement with China that eases duties on some electric vehicles. Ford said the deal, which allows up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs into Canada at a 6.1 per cent tariff, exposes Canadian workers to a flood of cheaper imports and could jeopardize access to the United States market.
The agreement followed China’s decision to roll back retaliatory levies on Canadian canola and seafood. Ottawa reduced the tariff on qualifying Chinese EVs from 100 per cent, a level set in 2024 under Justin Trudeau to match U.S. levies, to the current 6.1 per cent, a move Ford criticised as one-sided and risky for Canadian manufacturing.
Ford’s warnings and immediate demands
Ford said the federal government must act to bolster Ontario’s auto industry or risk plant closures and job losses. He urged Carney to work with provincial officials to attract investment to existing assembly lines in Brampton, Oshawa, Ingersoll and other communities where operations are under pressure.
Make no mistake: China now has a foothold in the Canadian market and will use it to their full advantage at the expense of Canadian workers.
Premier Doug Ford
The premier set out specific policy changes he wants from the federal government. They include ending the electric vehicle mandate, harmonizing vehicle regulations with key trading partners, and eliminating federal fees that he said increase production costs and deter investment.
- End the electric vehicle mandate
- Harmonize regulations with trading partners
- Scrap federal fees that raise vehicle production costs
- Work with Ontario to secure domestic assembly investments
Details of the Canada-China arrangement
Under the deal announced by the federal government, Canada will allow up to 49,000 passenger electric vehicles manufactured in China to enter the Canadian market at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. That is a significant reduction from the 100 per cent tariff imposed in 2024 by the previous government, which mirrored U.S. measures.
In exchange, China eased retaliatory duties on Canadian agricultural and seafood products, a concession Ottawa said would restore market access for affected producers. Ford characterised the exchange as imbalanced, arguing the scaled-back EV tariffs come without binding guarantees of reciprocal investment in Canadian factories or supply chains.
Trade risks and U.S. relations
Ford warned the reduced tariffs could further complicate relations with the United States. He said the move risks provoking a stronger response from U.S. authorities and could make it harder for Canadian automakers to compete in their largest export market.
Worse, by lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this lopsided deal risks closing the door on Canadian automakers to the American market, our largest export destination, which would hurt our economy and lead to job losses.
Premier Doug Ford
Ford pointed to existing U.S. tariffs on Canadian products, including auto parts, steel, aluminium and lumber, as evidence that Ottawa must weigh the potential diplomatic and economic fallout of changing Canada’s trade posture on vehicles. He said federal policy should prioritise protecting manufacturing jobs and maintaining aligned standards with major trading partners.
Political context between Ford and Carney
The criticism marks one of the most pointed public disagreements between Ford and Carney since the prime minister took office last March. The two leaders have maintained a close personal relationship, with Carney staying at Ford’s Muskoka cottage last summer and visiting the premier’s Etobicoke home multiple times in the past year.
Ford said the change in tone reflects the urgency of the issue for Ontario workers and communities that depend on the auto sector. He called on Carney to consult with provincial officials and align federal measures with the needs of manufacturers and unions.
What comes next
The federal government has defended the arrangement as a pragmatic step to reopen trade in agricultural products while allowing a limited, managed number of vehicles into Canada. Ottawa has said it will continue to monitor investment and supply-chain developments and to consult industry stakeholders.
Ford said those assurances are insufficient and repeated his demand for immediate policy changes to shore up competitiveness. He urged Prime Minister Carney to work directly with provincial leaders to secure binding commitments from manufacturers and to protect assembly jobs across Ontario.
As both governments move to manage the political and economic consequences of the China agreement, the debate is likely to focus on whether Ottawa can secure tangible investment guarantees, and how changes to tariffs and regulations will affect Canada’s position in North American supply chains.
Ford’s office said it will press Ottawa for a follow-up meeting to discuss concrete steps to support the auto sector. The coming weeks are expected to reveal whether the federal government will adopt the provincial demands or pursue a different path.
Doug FordMark Carneyelectric vehiclesChinaauto industrytrade
