Doug Ford blasts Mark Carney's 'terrible, terrible, miscalculated' EV deal with China

“He always preaches partnership. This is anything but a partnership and it’s totally, totally unacceptable that he’s bringing in Chinese-made cars and that are totally subsidized,” Ford told reporters at an Etobicoke hospital site.

But other premiers, including Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe, hailed the accord as “very good news.” 

“This deal is a very positive signal that will restore existing trade volumes and open avenues for further opportunities for Canadians,” Moe said from Beijing where he was advocating for his province’s canola farmers.

“Today demonstrates the importance of foreign trade missions and shows what can be achieved when the federal and provincial governments and our export industries work together to strengthen our trade relationships,” he said.

Under the deal, Ottawa is allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into the Canadian market at a tariff rate of 6.1 per cent, a massive reduction from the 100 per cent tariff set by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2024 to match then-U.S. president Joe Biden’s levies.

“This is a Chinese government that doesn’t respect labour laws, that doesn’t respect making cars environmentally friendly with basically making (them) with coal,” thundered Ford, referring to the fact about 60 per cent of China’s electricity comes from coal-fired power plants.

He complained “heavily subsidized” Chinese EVs would unfairly compete with Canadian-made cars and trucks.

“The federal government is inviting a flood of cheap made-in-China electric vehicles without any real guarantee of equal or immediate investments in Canada’s economy, auto sector or supply chain,” the Ontario premier said, warning Carney’s move would further raise the ire of current President Donald Trump, who is already in a trade war with Canada with stiff tariffs on auto parts, steel, aluminum and lumber.

“By lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this lopsided deal risks closing the door on Canadian automakers to the American market, our largest export destination, which would hurt our economy and lead to job losses,” he said, dubbing China’s EVs as ”spy cars” that will collect data for Beijing and could be banned stateside.

It’s the most critical the Progressive Conservative Ontario premier has been of the Liberal prime minister since Carney succeeded Trudeau last March.

They have been so closely aligned that Carney stayed over at Ford’s Muskoka cottage last summer before a first ministers’ meeting. The prime minister has also visited the premier’s Etobicoke home at least three times in the past 10 months.

In Beijing, Carney tried to appease Ford, predicting some Chinese firms would build auto plants in Ontario as American, European and Japanese manufacturers have.

“As far as Premier Ford is concerned … both of us want to build a new automotive industry, OK. So what is the future of the automobile industry? It’s electric vehicles and vehicles with a lot of technology and affordability,” the prime minister said in French.

“There are several companies that can provide that can create these vehicles, including Chinese (industry) leaders. So in exchange of a small piece of the Canadian market, we have a commitment, we expecting a commitment of investment … in Canada. So it’s an agreement that will create the future for our industry.”

Other premiers praised the prime minister for the new arrangement.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham said with his province “being a significant Canadian seafood exporter to China, this is welcome news for our coastal communities.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said “trade tariffs are harmful and only serve to raise consumer prices, limit choice and innovation, and damage businesses and producers,” so Friday’s agreement was long overdue.

Smith also moved to allay some of Ford’s fears, saying she expected “Canadian security authorities will take any measures necessary to ensure all vehicles and other products sold into Canada pose no threat to our nation’s privacy laws or national security interests.”

At Queen’s Park, NDP Leader Marit Stiles blamed Ford for being “asleep at the wheel” instead of on the China trip like Moe.

“Where was Doug Ford? How did he let this slip through his fingers? If I had been premier, I would have been on a plane. I would have bought my own ticket to Beijing,” said Stiles, who accused Carney of “selling out our auto sector.”

Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman (Don Valley West) criticized Ford for being “an armchair quarterback,” but said he must now get in the game.

“If Chinese electric vehicles are going to enter the Canadian market, then we must also work with Chinese EV companies to create good, strong, safe jobs for Ontario workers, which this deal opens the door to,” said Bowman.