Doug Ford ‘very concerned’ Canada could ease EV tariffs as part of deal with China

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s “dead against” any deal with China that would remove tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, warning that it would ultimately hurt Ontario’s economy.

“I’m very concerned, and so are my friends in Michigan ... When you have China coming in at a low cost of EVs, it’s concerning,” Ford told reporters when asked about the possibility at Queen’s Park Tuesday. He was flanked by several state representatives from Michigan.

“As everyone knows, those parts go back and forth between Ontario and Michigan seven, eight times and get assembled in Michigan, or get assembled here in Ontario, and when you have the Chinese government wanting to dump cheap Chinese parts and cheap vehicles here, it costs Canadian and American jobs. So I’m absolutely 100 per cent dead against this.”

Ford held a news conference after meeting with both Republican and Democratic representatives from Michigan’s state legislature to discuss trade, particularly when it comes to the auto sector and agriculture.

The meeting comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to China for the first time since taking office. It is the first visit by a Canadian prime minister since 2017.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is accompanying Carney, raising questions about whether Canada could be looking to lift its EV tariffs on China in exchange for China lifting its canola tariffs on Canada.

Ford said he hasn’t spoken to Carney about the possibility, but he plans to.

“I will speak to him and tell him our concerns,” Ford said. “And this is nothing against the folks in the canola business or soybean. We have a thriving soybean business here too. So it’s not about them. I fully understand why Premier Moe is concerned, but he’s protecting Saskatchewan. I’m protecting Ontario, the 500,000 jobs in the auto sector. That’s what I’m focused on.”

Canada followed the lead of the United States in imposing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs in 2024, with China responding by adding tariffs on a number of Canadian goods, including canola.

Ford warned that lifting the EV tariff would not only be bad for Canada, but could hurt trade negotiations with the U.S.

“It would not be good for Ontario and Canada, and it sure the heck wouldn’t be good for the U.S., and it wouldn’t be good when it comes to negotiating with President Trump,” he said.