Here’s the truth: Canada can’t build the car market of the future without exposure to China - Clean Energy Canada

The article from Clean Energy Canada discusses the critical role of China in shaping the future of Canada’s automotive market, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs). While Ontario Premier Doug Ford opposed allowing 49,000 Chinese EVs into Canada at low tariffs, fearing harm to domestic industry, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the need for Canada to compete in the future market, not past ones. The federal government announced plans to give preferential market access to foreign automakers that build EVs in Canada, a strategy inspired by Canada’s success in attracting Japanese manufacturers in the 1980s. This dual approach—allowing a controlled quota of Chinese EV imports and incentivizing domestic production by foreign firms—aims to enhance Canada’s competitiveness by learning from global leaders like China, Korea, and Germany. The article highlights that while Canada’s EV sales declined in 2025, global EV sales surged, with China leading the market and setting technological standards. China’s dominance offers Canada an opportunity to form partnerships and attract