Ontario Premier Doug Ford escalated his criticism of Canada’s electric vehicle trade deal with China on Monday, calling the vehicles set to enter the country “spy vehicles” and comparing the agreement to the Huawei controversy.
“I’m not too sure if President Trump wants Chinese spy vehicles coming across the border, but I’m betting the answer is no,” Ford said during an address to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump endorsed Canada’s agreement, saying “it’s a good thing for him to sign a trade deal” and adding “if you can get a deal with China, you should do that.”
The comments mark Ford’s sharpest attack yet on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s agreement to allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into Canada annually at a 6.1% tariff rate, replacing the 100% duty imposed in 2024.
‘Huawei 2.0’
Ford invoked security concerns reminiscent of the debate over Chinese telecommunications equipment, warning that connected vehicles pose surveillance risks.
“When you get on your cell phone, it’s the Chinese that are going to be listening to your telephone conversation — and I’m not making this stuff up,” Ford said.
“I find it ironic that the Prime Minister is using a burner phone and all his staff over in China, but we’re making a deal — it’s Huawei 2.0 — to come back and send to Canada, and we get nothing but potential job losses in our factories right across the border.”
No Consultation
Ford revealed he learned of the deal just hours before Friday’s announcement, criticizing the lack of coordination with Ontario, where Canada’s auto industry is concentrated.
“I found out about this deal, and the auto companies found out, by the way, a few hours before it was announced,” Ford said. “So much for the partnership.”
The premier said he was “extremely, extremely disappointed” by the decision, which he warned would directly impact auto workers and supply chains across rural Ontario.
Political Fallout
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Carney of reversing his stance on China, noting the prime minister had previously described Beijing as Canada’s “biggest security threat.”
“His agreement will allow 50,000 EVs onto our streets jeopardizing our security and auto jobs,” Poilievre wrote on X.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the tariff relief for agricultural producers while calling for security safeguards.
“I trust that Canadian security authorities will take any measures necessary to ensure all vehicles and other products sold into Canada pose no threat to our nation’s privacy laws or national security interests,” Smith said.
Deal Terms
The agreement announced during Carney’s state visit to Beijing allows the import cap to rise to 70,000 EVs by the fifth year.
By 2030, half of the quota must be priced at C$35,000 or less.
Carney said he estimates the trade deal will drive future Chinese investments into Canada’s auto sector within three years.
Ford dismissed that claim, warning the agreement would hurt manufacturers and complicate relations with Washington.
“We’re letting China into a market that’s going to have lower tariffs than our largest market, the US,” he said. “This was not thought of properly. It wasn’t consulted. It was a knee-jerk reaction.”
