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GM’s Mary Barra Calls Canada’s China EV Deal a ‘Slippery Slope’

The pact permits up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs at a 6.1% tariff, representing under 3% of Canada’s market.

Overview

  • Barra warned the move runs counter to building a resilient North American industrial base and to protecting jobs and security, citing structural advantages enjoyed by Chinese automakers at home.
  • GM confirmed it will proceed with a previously announced layoff of 750 workers at its Oshawa, Ontario, plant, following last year’s halt of BrightDrop production at CAMI that affected over 1,000 jobs.
  • The CEO said direct parts sourced from China account for less than 3% of GM’s content and reported a 27% increase in U.S. content over five years, highlighting an $888 million engine investment in Tonawanda, New York.
  • Ottawa’s agreement includes streamlined safety certifications for Chinese models and targets at least half of imports priced at or below C$35,000 by 2030, with the quota reported to rise over time.
  • Ontario’s premier, labor leaders, and U.S. officials criticized the deal, with warnings it could strain cross-border auto trade and complicate this year’s USMCA talks.