(Halifax) Canada is following the United States and will impose 100 per cent tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday. The government will also impose a 25 per cent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum. Cabinet is meeting in Halifax, N.S., ahead of the resumption of Parliament in three weeks.
“We are transforming Canada’s auto sector to become a global leader in building the vehicles of tomorrow, but players like China have chosen to give themselves an unfair advantage in the global marketplace, compromising the security of our critical industries and displacing our dedicated auto and metal workers,” he said.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had indicated the day before that he hoped the Canadian government would impose tariffs in turn. He attended a working dinner Sunday with the entire Trudeau Cabinet.
US President Joe Biden raised the tariff on these Chinese vehicles from 25% to 100% in May to counter “China’s unfair trade practices in technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation.”
“Canada will make its own decisions, but the United States believes that a united front for a coordinated approach on these issues benefits everyone,” he said, recalling that the European Union had also taken action.
More details to come.