**Published Oct 14, 2025 • 2-minute read**
**Join the conversation**
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe held a joint press conference after a discussion organized by Enserva in Calgary on Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo by Brent Calver / Postmedia Network
After a brief period of inter-provincial cooperation in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats to the Canadian economy, the premiers of Canada are returning to their usual dynamics.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith criticized B.C. Premier David Eby’s opposition to a new oil pipeline, labeling it as “un-Canadian and unconstitutional.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford firmly stated that there’s “no damn way” Prime Minister Mark Carney should consider the requests from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to accept China’s proposal to eliminate its 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil in exchange for Canada lifting its 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs).
This situation arises as both federal and provincial governments grapple with the fact that 75% of Canada’s exports are directed to the U.S., while nearly 50% of imports come from there, making it challenging to disentangle these economic ties. Canada finds itself in a difficult position regarding the potential lifting of tariffs on Chinese EVs to persuade China to reduce its tariffs on canola oil.
The Canadian auto sector also opposes this move, as it would jeopardize efforts to establish a domestic EV supply chain, for which the federal, Ontario, and Quebec governments have allocated up to $52.5 billion of taxpayer funds. This amount exceeds the $46.1 billion that the industry was prepared to invest in 13 major projects, according to the parliamentary budget officer.
Allowing Chinese EVs—known for being technologically advanced and significantly cheaper due to heavy government subsidies aimed at expanding their global market share—would undermine Canadian initiatives to foster a homegrown EV industry. Additionally, there are security concerns regarding the introduction of Chinese EVs in Canada, given China’s track record of industrial espionage, intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, and the harassment of Canadian citizens of Chinese descent to further Beijing’s interests.
What assurances does Canada have that China—or the U.S.—will uphold their trade agreements? The reality facing Canadians following the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals is that while it’s easy to promise an expansion of trade beyond the U.S. market and to resolve inter-provincial disputes, delivering on those promises is a different challenge altogether.
**RECOMMENDED VIDEO**
We apologize, but this video has been optimized