Conservative leader wants Canada to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has added his voice to those calling on the federal government to slap tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and associated parts.

President Joe Biden announced in May that the U.S. would be imposing a new 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). Washington is also imposing tariffs on Chinese-made advanced batteries, solar cells, steel and aluminium used for EVs.

Industry players have been putting pressure on the federal government to match those tariffs. Poilievre held a press conference in Hamilton, Ont. on Friday to add his support.

"[China has] massively subsidized steel, aluminum and EV industries. They're doing this with the goal of crushing our steel, our aluminum and our automotive production and taking our jobs away," he said.

Poilievre also took aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by suggesting that the government has «failed to protect workers» by not imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs, parts, steel and aluminum.

General Motors, vehicle manufacturers associations and the Ontario government have all said in recent months that Canada needs to act in concert with the U.S. on Chinese EVs and associated parts.

On Thursday, the heads of the Aluminium Association of Canada and the Canadian Steel Producers Association called for a minimum 25 per cent tariff on Chinese aluminum and steel coming into Canada.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland held consultations throughout the month of July to look at how Canada can respond to Beijing's trade practices in the EV sector. Those consultations have concluded but the government has yet to announce a decision.

On Friday, Polievre took aim at the government's rebate policy, introduced to encourage Canadians to