Ontario Premier Doug Ford Vents Frustration Over China EV Tariff Deal

The Premier of Ontario is slamming Ottawa’s recent tariff deal with Beijing, allowing up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into Canada each year. He also warned about security threats related to the vehicles and Chinese technology. Doug Ford didn’t pull any punches in expressing his disappointment in a lack of communication with the federal government, indicating he knows where he stands. He also accused Ottawa of using Ontario auto-workers “as a pawn.” Citing recent plant closures in Germany and Brazil, Ford accused China of undercutting western markets. “I have concerns that they’re undercutting our hard-working autoworkers and Unifor members. They pay their people probably $6 an hour over at the auto plants in China with unfair labour practices, as we’re upholding proper labour practices, and making sure we build cars with clean, green steel. I just want more communication.” Ford says he intends to have “honest” conversations with the Prime Minister and offered a warning about developing trade partnerships with China. He believes Chinese EVs will be used to spy on Ontarians and listen to their phone calls. He was asked what he based that assertion on. “It’s very simple, when the Prime Minister and his team were over there, they used burner phones. You’re making a deal with a country, with burner phones…and the Prime Minister did mention when he got elected that the number one country for national security threat is China. And we know, when you hook up your phone, they’re going to be listening, simple as that. And anyone who doesn’t believe that is very, very naive.”