Doug Ford Says Canada Sold Out Auto Workers For Cheap Chinese Evs

Just days after Canada and China finalized a trade agreement slashing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles from 100 percent to 6.1 percent, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has gone on the offensive.

Warning that the move could deliver a serious blow to Canada’s domestic auto industry, Ford is urging Canadians to steer clear of Chinese EVs altogether and “boycott” them, arguing the deal risks local jobs and undermines the country’s manufacturing base.

Read: Canada Just Invited China’s Biggest EV Makers To Build Cars On America’s Border

Ford didn’t wait for the details to land before voicing his concerns. Long before the tariff change was confirmed, he was already firmly against any auto-related trade agreement with China. According to the Ontario Premier, Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed the deal through without proper consultation.

Ford Sounds the Alarm on Local Jobs

“Maybe a few people might buy them, and I just discourage anyone from buying a Chinese vehicle,” Ford said at a press conference.

“But if they decide to do that, at what cost is it? Is it at the cost of your neighbor down the street that’s working in the auto sector that he’s not going to have, or she’s not going to have a job? Boycott the Chinese EV vehicles. Support companies that are building vehicles here. This is a team Canada approach. We gotta stick together.”

Who Really Benefits From the Deal

In announcing the dramatic tariff reduction, Carney stated that several Chinese carmakers have shown interest in building affordable electric vehicles on Canadian soil. Under the new deal, 49,000 EVs from China can be imported to Canada at the lower 6.1 percent tariff. Although Carney would welcome Chinese brands building cars locally, Ford isn’t convinced by the idea.

“The numbers just don’t add up,” he said. “Even if they do start assembling, how about the supply chain? They come, and they assemble, but they bring all Chinese parts in; that means nothing. We want to make sure we produce Canadian cars by Canadians, with the R and D and the specs and everything, and the steel, and the aluminum from Canada. It’s as simple as that.”

Are EV Incentives Needed?

Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, speaking to CTV News, said the province should be looking at practical steps to build demand for Canadian-made EVs instead of clearing the way for imports.

“The federal government’s deal with China threatens Ontario’s automotive industry,” he claimed. “This is even more reason for the premier to take bold action to bring forward a complete plan to protect Ontario workers by going all-in on incentives to create demand for Ontario-made EVs.”