Ford says ‘no damn way’ Canada should drop tariffs on Chinese EVs

Chinese ambassador to Canada Wang Di discusses the China-Canada trade relationship and the ongoing tariffs between the two nations.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford came out hard against the idea of Canada lifting its tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on Tuesday, voicing his disagreement with two western premiers who are calling on Ottawa to do so.

“(Saskatchewan Premier) Scott (Moe) called me up and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to protect my province’. I get it. I get why (Manitoba Premier) Wab Kinew and Scott are saying ‘drop the tariffs,’” Ford said during a fireside chat at the Empire Club of Canada. “But I have to do the same thing.”

“I respect what they’re doing, but there’s no damn way we should drop tariffs on China, I’ll tell you that,” Ford said. “Absolutely not.”

Canada has had 100 per cent tariffs on all EVs imported from China since last October. It also has 25 per cent tariffs in place on Chinese steel and aluminum.

China has since levied tariffs of its own on Canadian agriculture, notably on canola products, with a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal and a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed.

The decision by the previous Canadian government to tariff Chinese EVs followed the United States’ lead, and was framed as protecting domestic manufacturing and national security.

The prospect of a potential lifting of tariffs arose after China’s Ambassador to Canada Wang Di – in an exclusive interview with CTV Question Period on Sunday – told host Vassy Kapelos that China would remove its tariffs on Canadian agriculture — including on canola products — if Canada scrapped its levies on Chinese EVs.

“If Canada removes the unilateral unjustified tariffs on Chinese products, China will also reciprocate accordingly,” Wang Di said through a translator.

• China will remove canola tariffs if Canada scraps EV levies: ambassador
• Ottawa faces pressure after China offers deal on canola, EV tariffs

The ambassador’s comments prompted some premiers, including Kinew and Moe, to call on Ottawa to drop the tariffs. Farmers in their provinces have been hit particularly hard by China’s levies on canola products.

Moe said this is “a clear signal of how Canada can act this week.” And, Kinew called this a “critical moment” in a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, posted on the social media platform X.

Ford said while he respects Kinew and Moe trying to protect the agriculture sector in their provinces, he has to think about the auto sector in his province.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to visit China later this week and trade is expected to be a focal point amid recent tensions between the two countries.

The EV tariffs fall under the Department of Finance. In a statement to CTV News when asked about the ambassador’s comments, a spokesperson from Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne’s office said, “Canada’s focus has always been protecting Canadian workers and key sectors, including our farmers, and defending our national interests in a rapidly changing global economy.”

“In fact, the prime minister has recently signalled his intent to meet with China’s president, at the appropriate time, to explore ways to stabilize and deepen our trade relationship,” the statement added. “Canada will always stand up for its workers and industries, and we’ll continue to act with determination and foresight to safeguard our long-term economic resilience.”

CTV News has also reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment on the ambassador’s remarks, but has not received a response.

With files from CTV News’ Jeremie Charron and Stephanie Ha