Canadians who have been considering purchasing a Chinese EV may need to make a prompt decision as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that starting on October 1, Canada will be imposing a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles manufactured in China, following the US’s lead. The surtax will also apply to electric cars, trucks, buses, delivery vans, and some hybrid models, with an additional 25 percent tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum starting on October 15. Industry pressure led to Canada matching the US tariff on Chinese EVs, with Trudeau stating that the goal is to level the playing field for Canadian workers and make the domestic EV industry more competitive. Trudeau emphasized that actions are being taken to transform Canada’s automotive sector into a global leader, amidst China’s unfair advantage in the marketplace impacting Canadian auto and metal workers.
