Canada’s agriculture minister emphasized the need to carefully assess the implications on various sectors before considering any potential reduction in tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China. Heath MacDonald stated that while the Canadian government has not directly received any specific requests from China, the matter is under review. He highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that any adjustments to tariffs do not negatively impact other industries or sectors.
Last year, Canada imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, following a similar move by the United States, with a scheduled review within 12 months. In response, China retaliated by imposing tariffs on Canadian canola exports. During a visit to China, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged Ottawa to lift the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
MacDonald’s remarks came after a meeting in Winnipeg where federal and provincial agriculture ministers discussed the challenges faced by canola producers, as highlighted by industry groups.
