While Premier Ford blasts PM Carney for his “terrible, miscalculated” EV deal with China, opposition leaders say he should’ve been at the table: “where was Doug Ford?”
Meanwhile, GM auto workers are bracing for layoffs: “we’re not gonna be able to compete with Chinese imports.” pic.twitter.com/Ao4iAFLo1G
— Tina Yazdani (@TinaYazdani) January 16, 2026
Meanwhile, GM auto workers are bracing for layoffs: “we’re not gonna be able to compete with Chinese imports.” pic.twitter.com/Ao4iAFLo1G
— Tina Yazdani (@TinaYazdani) January 16, 2026
These groups view the deal as a threat to Canada’s industrial future and national security.
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Ontario & Premier Doug Ford: Ontario is the heart of Canada’s auto sector. Ford has slammed the deal as a "betrayal," calling the vehicles "subsidized spy cars." He argues that by giving China a foothold, Canada is undermining billions of dollars in recent investments (like the VW and Stellantis battery plants).
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Auto Workers & Unions (Unifor): For workers in Oshawa, Windsor, and Brampton, this is about job security. Unifor President Lana Payne called the deal a "self-inflicted wound," fearing that Canadian-made cars cannot compete with Chinese EVs that benefit from massive state subsidies and lower labor standards.
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North American Manufacturers (The Big Three): Ford, GM, and Stellantis are worried about "unfair competition." They argue that while they are forced to meet strict Canadian environmental and labor rules, Chinese imports are being allowed in at a low 6.1% tariff despite being heavily subsidized by the Chinese government.
Premier Ford told Media he had no idea the Prime Minister would open the market to Chinese EVs which he calls “disaster” to the auto manufacturing and supply line in Ontario. Calls it a “knee-jerk reaction”. As bad as this is just wait until Carney agrees to a gutting of CUSMA pic.twitter.com/uMPXpRsDGA
— Michael B Murphy KC (@monctonSJlawyer) January 16, 2026
