Trudeau calls Poilievre's stance on Chinese EV tariffs 'baloney'

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau took aim at federal Conservatives on Monday, accusing leader Pierre Poilievre of not supporting investments in the electric vehicle sector.

Trudeau was attending a funding announcement at Goodyear's tire plant in Napanee, Ont. Goodyear Canada announced it is investing $575 million to expand and modernize the plant with the goal of making it net-zero in less than two decades. The federal government is contributing $44.3 million, while Ontario's government is kicking in another $20 million.

Trudeau said the plant's increased capacity will include tires made specifically for electric vehicles.

While taking questions following the event, Trudeau was asked to respond to Poilievre's calls on Friday for Canada to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and associated parts.

Trudeau didn't address the question of tariffs on China. Instead, he accused Poilievre of not supporting investments like the one his government announced in Napanee.

«It's a bit of a joke that Poilievre is suddenly talking about workers in the auto industry. He has said repeatedly that he wouldn't be making these investments in our auto industry. He'd be cutting our investments in EVs,» Trudeau told reporters.

«We have been there every step of the way, and the federal Conservatives continue to say they'd cut it all. They don't support it. They don't believe in investing in Canadian workers. So for him to suddenly turn around and say, 'Oh we're worried about EVs'? That's baloney.»

A spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Friday — following Poilievre's call for tariffs on Chinese EVs — that a decision on tariffs would be made «soon.»

While Poilievre has expressed skepticism about the