Canada Slashes Chinese EV Tariffs, Triggers North American Auto Debate

Canada cut its tariff on imported Chinese electric vehicles from 100% to 6.1%, with an initial cap of 49,000 cars and a five-year ramp to 70,000, a move that drew criticism from Ontario's Doug Ford, Unifor, and U.S. officials who warn it could endanger domestic auto jobs, national-security concerns, and cross-border manufacturing ties, even as supporters argue cheaper EVs could accelerate adoption in Canada. The policy shift may foreshadow a more competitive North American auto market, with first imports possibly arriving in March or April.