Overview
- An initial quota of about 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles will enter Canada at a 6.1% tariff, with the cap set to rise toward roughly 70,000 in five years.
- China will reduce its tariff on Canadian canola seed from 84% to 15% effective March 1 and temporarily lower duties on canola meal, lobster, peas and crabs.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Chinese automakers have expressed interest in producing affordable EVs in Canada, with any facilities required to meet Canadian labour standards.
- Officials and reporting describe potential benefits of roughly $3 billion in new orders for Canadian farmers and fishers, with some implementation details still pending.
- Analysts note the move creates an opening for Chinese EV brands in Western markets and warn of evolving political reactions in the United States, even as Ottawa weighs a reported but unfinalized ‘preferential access’ plan for carmakers that build in Canada.