Ford sounds alarm over China EV deal, calls for federal help for Ontario auto sector

OTTAWA — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is slamming Canada’s new trade agreement with China, saying it’s inviting a flood of cheap Chinese electric vehicles with no guarantee of investments.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that Canada has agreed to slash its 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese EVs for up to 49,000 vehicles per year.

In exchange, China will drop or significantly reduce its retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agriculture products, including canola seed and meal, pork, seafood and peas.

In a post on X this morning, Ford called the deal lopsided and warned it risks closing the door to the U.S. market for Canadian automakers.