Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles, Steel, and Aluminum Promised by Poilievre

August 10, 2024 TruthUSA

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised to enforce tariffs on Chinese exports such as electric vehicles, steel, aluminum, and semiconductors to safeguard Canadian workers from unfair practices by Beijing.

During a press conference at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, Ont., on Aug. 9, Poilievre stated, “We want this to be the premier location in the world to invest in new steel mills, establish new mines, and hire additional workers.”

He emphasized, “We prefer Canadian workers to manufacture these goods on our soil under our flag.”

A Conservative government, according to Poilievre, would apply a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles entering Canada, a 50 percent tariff on semiconductors and solar cells, and a 25 percent tariff on various steel and aluminum products, graphite, EV batteries, battery components, permanent magnets, and ship-to-shore cranes.

Poilievre also announced the cancellation of taxpayer-funded rebates for Chinese-made EVs and the repeal of Bill C-69 to facilitate the initiation of more mining and energy projects in Canada.

The Conservative leader accused China of exploiting poor labor and environmental standards to manufacture artificially inexpensive steel, aluminum, and electric vehicles.

“Their objective is to diminish our steel, aluminum, and automotive production and snatch away our employment,” he declared.

Notably, while the United States imposed tariffs on Chinese exports back in 2018 and plans to heighten those tariffs in 2024, Canada has not followed suit. U.S. President Joe Biden authorized a spike in tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25 percent to 100 percent effective Aug. 1. Additionally, the European Union announced a tariff of up to 37.6 percent on Chinese-manufactured EVs.

The Liberal government recently completed a 30-day public consultation to collect input on imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs. The government has accused Beijing of deliberately flooding the global market with EVs to undermine competitors from the West. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland condemned the country’s “Leninist” economic strategies on July 12.

“I observe that Leninist precept in Chinese economic strategy—of dominating the key sectors of the global economy and of intentionally acting to undermine and eliminate Western rivals,” she voiced. “It’s about time for us to be clear-eyed about that.”

On Aug. 8, Canada’s steel and aluminum industries held a joint press conference encouraging Ottawa to impose tariffs on China to align with the actions taken by the U.S. and Mexico.

“Ideally, [Ottawa] should synchronize with the U.S. government’s declaration and execution to prevent the penetration of Chinese imports through the CUSMA corridor,” Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada, remarked.

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