Canada reportedly preparing tariffs on Chinese EVs to align with US and EU trade partners

Published

5 months ago

June 21, 2024

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The threat of tariffs and an all-out trade war over Chinese EVs is expanding globally, and Canada is reportedly joining the turmoil. The Canadian government is preparing tariffs on Chinese-made EVs to align with the US and European Union, which have already proposed heavy duties to deter “unfair” competition imported from overseas.

Another day, another update on the ongoing battle over EVs built in China and the attempts by those local automakers to expand their global presence.

You probably know a lot about the background of this saga by now. Still, this tale began when the EU Commission announced an anti-subsidy probe last fall, claiming that EV models built in China and imported to the region were at an unfair advantage.

As the EU conducted its probe, the US, led by the Biden Administration, wasted no time upping the duties on Chinese EV imports in the US, raising tariffs from 25% to a whopping 100%. The EU Commission followed suit, threatening its own tariffs before even sharing the results of its probe.

In retaliation, China has threatened tariffs on vehicles imported from Europe, inciting German automakers to reach across the aisle (and the globe) to help ease tensions and hopefully said tariffs. The EU’s tariffs on Chinese EVs can go as high as 48% and are scheduled to take effect in less than two weeks.

According to a new report, Canada is the latest nation to enter the EV tariff battle. The country holds strong ties with the US and EU and looks to align with its trade partners in solidarity while blocking a potential loophole China could use to enter North America.

Canada urges Trudeau to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs

According to sources familiar with the matter, the government of Canada, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is preparing tariffs on imported EVs built in China, per a Bloomberg report.

The tariff talks are still in the early stages as Canada discusses how and when to proceed. Still, the US neighbors to the north appear poised to align with its trade partners against China. Furthermore, Canadian officials who requested to stay anonymous shared that public consultations on tariffs will begin soon.

Trudeau and his administration have faced increased pressure from the Canadian people and other democratic allies to join rank against Chinese imports. On Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to X to accuse China of poor local manufacturing practices in building its inexpensive EVs:

Taking every advantage of low labour standards and dirty energy, China is flooding the market with artificially cheap electric vehicles. Unless we act fast, we risk Ontario and Canadian jobs.

Over the last four years, Ontario has a secured $43 billion worth of investments in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, securing hundreds of thousands of good, well-paying jobs. This has been an all-hands-on-deck achievement, working side-by-side with the federal government and our private-sector labour partners.

We can never take our progress for granted. Our workers are the best in the world. As governments, we need to do everything in our power to protect their jobs and the paycheques they take home.

Now’s the time to work with our U.S. partners to deepen and strengthen home-grown, US-Canada supply chains. Now’s the time to protect good, hard-earned Ontario and Canadian jobs by matching U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.

Despite growing pressure, Prime Minister Trudeau has not publicly committed to Canada imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs, stating the cabinet is monitoring the situation closely, and he had “significant conversations” at the Group of Seven leaders’ summit in Italy last week.

Canada’s auto industry has also called on its government to impose tariffs on Chinese EV imports, arguing that the nation cannot be on the opposite side of the issue with the US, a major trade partner in North America with which it shares several automotive supply chains.

Canada saw the number of Chinese imports grow by fivefold last year, including a majority of EVs built by Tesla in Shanghai. However, Canada’s focus, like that of the US and EU, is more on tariffs on vehicles from China-based automakers like BYD.

Meanwhile, Chinese automakers like BYD are already setting up manufacturing sites in Mexico, which has welcomed the business and has opened the door to at least some EV sales in North America.

This story is ongoing.

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

Published

4 hours ago

November 16, 2024

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.

Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.

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Environment

The Eastern US’s first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

Published

7 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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The Eastern US's first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

CF EV charging — Photo: Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.

These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.

The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:

Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.

In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.

The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.

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Environment

Kia’s new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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Kia's new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.

The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.

During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.

Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.

The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.

Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US

Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.

The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.

Kia EV4 caught on US streets for the first time (Source: KindelAuto)

Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).

Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.

Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.