Canada Slaps 100% Tariff On China-Made EVs

Canada has announced that it is launching a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), matching U.S. tariffs imposed over what Western governments say are China’s subsidies that give its industry an unfair advantage, Rob Gillies reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Chinese EV giant BYD established a Canadian corporate entity last spring and has indicated it intends to try entering the Canadian market as early as next year. I Photo: BYD

The announcement followed encouragement by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Cabinet ministers.

Sullivan is making his first visit to Beijing on Tuesday. Trudeau said Canada will also impose a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum. “Actors like China have chosen to give themselves an unfair advantage in the global marketplace,” he said.

One of the Chinese-made EVs imported into Canada is from Tesla, made at the company’s Shanghai factory, though the U.S. company could avoid the tariff by switching to supplying Canada from factories in the U.S. or Germany.

Chinese brands are not yet a major player in Canada. However, Chinese EV giant BYD established a Canadian corporate entity last spring and has indicated it intends to try entering the Canadian market as early as next year.

One of the Chinese-made EVs imported into Canada is from Tesla, made at the company’s Shanghai factory, though the U.S. company could avoid the tariff by switching to supplying Canada from factories in the U.S. or Germany.

Chinese brands are not yet a major player in Canada. However, Chinese EV giant BYD established a Canadian corporate entity last spring and has indicated it intends to try entering the Canadian market as early as next year.