10.04°C Vancouver

Jun 24, 2024 6:04 PM - The Canadian Press

Canada to announce tariff plan for Chinese EV, battery imports following U.S., Europe

Share On
canada-to-announce-tariff-plan-for-chinese-ev-battery-imports-following-u-s-europe
That plan could change as both Europe and China agreed to negotiations on the matter over the weekend.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to announce this morning a plan for potential tariffs to protect Canada's electric vehicle supply chain from unfair Chinese competition.

Freeland and International Trade Minister Mary Ng are making a joint announcement this morning following moves this spring by both the United States and Europe to hike import tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.

Before Canada can impose new tariffs, an anti-subsidy investigation must be completed by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

Currently, the only Chinese-made EVs imported into Canada are Teslas made at the U.S. tech giant's Shanghai factory.

China is a bigger player in Canada when it comes to batteries and battery components for EVs, industries Canada has invested heavily in over the last four years.

In 2021, almost 80 per cent of all lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles globally came out of China and the International Energy Agency says almost 60 per cent of global EV sales are now Chinese-made.

Accusations that China has spurred its own EV industry through unfair subsidies led to both Europe and the U.S. retaliating this spring.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced in mid-May that he is hiking tariffs on Chinese EVS from 25 per cent to 100 per cent this year though there is only one Chinese EV currently available in the U.S.

Biden also announced a hike to tariffs on lithium-ion batteries and some other clean energy products including solar cells.

The European Commission is still completing its anti-subsidy investigation but announced two weeks ago that it will impose provisional tariffs of between 17 per cent and 38 per cent on Chinese-made EVs as of July 4.

That plan could change as both Europe and China agreed to negotiations on the matter over the weekend.

Chinese-branded EVs now make up eight per cent of the European market, compared with one per cent in 2019. Europe says its preliminary findings confirmed Chinese EVs are benefiting from "unfair subsidization."

Many Chinese EVs are substantially cheaper than similar European-made models.

Where Canada lands on tariffs will depend on the consultation process. A government source, speaking on the condition they not be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told The Canadian Press a brief consultation period usually occurs before imposing precise tariffs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly said since the U.S. announcement that Canada was watching very closely and deciding what it will do.

On June 12, the day the European Commission announced its provisional tariffs, Ng told reporters on Parliament Hill that Canada was working on its own plan.

"The status is that we are working on it, and I’ve been very clear about this," she said. "This issue is one that we’re concerned about."

Ng said then she was already talking to Canadian industry.

Typically the process for launching an anti-subsidy investigation starts with a complaint from the industry.

"We’ve invested deeply and heavily in the electric vehicle supply chain," she said.

Since 2020, Canada has attracted more than $46 billion in investments for 13 electric vehicle, battery and battery component manufacturing projects. Ottawa and the provinces have jointly promised up to $53 billion in return, including tax credits, production subsidies and capital investments.

Latest news

IndiaOct 09, 2025

Guru Nanak Dev University forms special committee to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Sikh martyrs

Preparations are underway at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and the revered Sikh martyrs - Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayal Das Ji - under the spiritual guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. To honour the occasion with devotion and academic depth, GNDU has constituted a special advisory committee of Sikh scholars and educationists. The committee includes Dr. Balkar Singh, Dr. Kehar Singh, Dr. Sarbjinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor Sunny Oberai of Vivek Sadan University, Sri Anan
white-rock-rcmp-continue-to-search-for-justin-fisher-two-years-after-his-disappearance
BCOct 08, 2025

White Rock RCMP continue to search for Justin Fisher, two years after his disappearance

On the two-year anniversary of his disappearance, White Rock RCMP is renewing their plea for information about Justin Fisher. On October 8, 2023, White Rock RCMP received a report of found property and determined it belonged to Justin Kyle Fisher. The last known sighting of Justin Fisher was in White Rock, BC in the 15000 block of Marine Drive, on October 7, 2023. His backpack containing his belongings was found in the water about 100 metres offshore by a kayaker on October 8, 2023. Based on our investigation, we do not believe there is any criminality associated to his disappearance. As the i
alberta-education-minister-concerned-about-private-school-funding-petition
AlbertaOct 08, 2025

Alberta education minister concerned about private school funding petition

Alberta's education minister says cutting government funding to private schools would only escalate the pressure faced by the province's strained public school system. Demetrios Nicolaides says thousands of children would need to find new schools to attend, likely public schools, which he says are already under immense pressure. The funding cut is a move one Calgary teacher is hoping to put to a vote. This week Alberta's chief electoral officer approved the teacher's proposed referendum question, which asks: ``Should the Government of Alberta end its current practice of allocating
all-b-c-government-liquor-cannabis-stores-now-behind-workers-pickets
BCOct 08, 2025

All B.C. government liquor, cannabis stores now behind workers' pickets

All remaining British Columbia-run liquor and cannabis stores in the province are now behind picket lines as public service workers step up union job action. The escalation by the BC General Employees' Union also includes all Service BC workers, raising the total number of members participating in job action to almost 25,000. Private liquor and cannabis stores in B.C. remain open, but they are supplied by provincial government distribution warehouses that are also behind picket lines. Service BC provides residents with services related to drivers licensing, income and disability ass
house-committee-adds-language-security-checks-to-lost-canadians-bill
CanadaOct 08, 2025

House committee adds language, security checks to 'Lost Canadians' bill

The House of Commons immigration committee is recommending most adults eligible for birthright citizenship under the "Lost Canadians" bill fulfil similar requirements to immigrant applicants, on language, knowledge of Canadian history and security checks. MPs on the committee adopted amendments on Tuesday to Bill C-3, which will go back to the House of Commons for approval. The bill responds to a 2023 Ontario court ruling overturning a Stephen Harper-era law which prohibited Canadians born aboard from passing down citizenship if their children were not born in Canada The bill proposes that in

Related News