Credit: Juno News
Prime Minister Mark Carney is in China this week for high-stakes trade talks, with Beijing pressing Ottawa to lower or eliminate tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. According to reporting in the Toronto Star, Canadian negotiators are discussing a potential trade-off: easing EV tariffs in exchange for relief from Chinese counter-tariffs on Canadian exports like canola and seafood.
The proposal has triggered sharp pushback at home. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is urging Carney to hold the line, warning that opening the door to low-cost Chinese EVs could devastate Ontario’s already-strained auto manufacturing sector and threaten thousands of jobs.
Meanwhile, Chinese state-controlled media is signaling skepticism, suggesting Ottawa must prove its outreach to Beijing is not merely a tactic to gain leverage against the United States. China has openly urged Canada to distance itself from Washington if it wants improved relations a demand that raises serious questions about Canada’s long-term trade and security alignment.
Engineer and longtime industry executive Ves Sobot join Straight Up to break down what’s really at stake from EV tariffs and energy exports to Canada’s fragile position between two global superpowers.
