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2h ago

Prairie Premiers Urge Ottawa to Drop China EV Tariff as Beijing Offers Farm-Duty Relief

China is dangling relief on canola and pork tariffs in exchange for Ottawa ending its 100% levy on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

From left, Premier of Saskatchewan Scott More and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speak to media prior to the First Minister’s Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Canola fields are pictured near Cremona, Alta. Earlier this month China launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports, an apparent response to Canada's decision in August to hike tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
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Overview

  • Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to rescind the EV tariff to secure the removal of Chinese duties on Canadian canola and pork.
  • China’s ambassador Wang Di said on CTV that Beijing is prepared to lift those agricultural tariffs if Canada scraps the EV measure, after arguing in an embassy op-ed that the levy violates WTO rules.
  • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe backed action following new data showing the province’s exports to China fell 76% year over year in August, and he urged movement as Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand travels to Asia this week.
  • Ottawa says a review of the EV tariff imposed in October 2024 alongside the United States is underway but has offered no timeline for decisions.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford opposes removing the tariff on grounds it protects auto jobs, while Prairie producers report heavy losses, including a $19 million annual hit at one Manitoba pork operation.