Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to implement tariffs on Chinese exports like electric vehicles, steel, aluminum semiconductors in order to protect Canadian workers against “economic predation” by Beijing.
“We want this to be the best place in the world to invest in a new steel mill, dig a new mine, hire another worker,” Poilievre said at a press conference at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton, Ont., on Aug. 9.
“We want these products made by our workers, on our land, under our flag,” he added.
He said a Conservative government would put in place a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EV) entering Canada, a 50 percent tariff on semiconductors and solar cells, and a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum products, graphite, EV batteries, battery parts, permanent magnets, and ship-to-shore cranes.
Poilievre said his government would also cancel “taxpayer-funded” rebates for Chinese-made EVs and repeal Bill C-69 to allow Canada to launch more mining and energy projects.
The Conservative leader said China has been exploiting “weak labour and environmental standards” to produce artificially cheap steel, aluminum, and EVs.
“They’re doing this with the goal of crushing our steel, our aluminum, and our automotive production, and taking our jobs away,” he said.
“I see that Leninist precept in Chinese economic policy—of dominating the commanding heights of the global economy and of acting quite intentionally to undermine and cut out Western competitors,” she said. “I think it’s high time for us to be clear-eyed about that.”
On Aug. 8, Canada’s steel and aluminum industries held a press conference where they urged Ottawa to impose tariffs on China to align itself with actions the U.S. and Mexico have taken.
“In an ideal world, [Ottawa] would work in lockstep with the U.S. government’s announcement and implementation so that we don’t open up a hole in the CUSMA fortress that will enable Chinese imports to come in,” said Jean Simard, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association of Canada.
