It is stated American policy that Canada not have a trade agreement with China but we are being forced into one by virtue of Trump’s economic war. It is tempting to buy cheap Chinese EV’s and export them our raw materials and agricultural products. The heavily taxpayer subsidized Canadian car manufacturing industry would be a casualty but, as stated elsewhere, that is not a great loss to Canada.
I do not agree with that… at all.
The world is re-aligning around Trump and his tariff antics.
They learned their lesson the first time around.
No point in waiting for him to be in power.
Do it now. And quickly.
Why not?
Canada can’t simply be led by US policies all the time.
It does have some agency given its vast natural resources.
Are there security issues with trading with China?
Of course.
But with the US skewing MAGA and Trump and his followers embedding themselves into positions of power, I don’t see the US trending better anytime soon.
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No. Then he can blame Biden’s Administration for it. No matter what the truth is.
Wait 11 days.
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You are aware that Quebec is heavily invested in Northvolt?
What is the performance of these vehicles in the harsh Canadian winter?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/electric-vehicle-cold-range-1.6738892
They will work, just not go as far on a charge. Oh, and move that engine blanket to inside the car, in the back, where the batteries are.
Northvolt is bankrupt.
Their facilities were in North Sweden.
For more info:
These initiatives will help Quebec achieve its goal of developing its own complete domestic battery ecosystem and supporting clean technologies. Quebec is poised to become a leader in the EV industry and contribute to the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.
One of the great positives about tariffs is the protection of new industries. Considering Quebec’s strategy, I am for massive tariffs on chinese EVs.
Yes, and that was poor policy. And Ontario is offering massive subsidies to EV-related industries. Just do the math on the per job cost of those taxpayer subsidies. And the end-product will cost the consumer at least double what China could sell them at. Cheaper to become green by buying China.
I am not enthused about casting our lot more with China but we are being forced that way economically.
And Stellantis is struggling. And the cost of the taxpayer subsidies is, drum roll:
IFYP
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I think these would primarily be city cars and would require a charge every couple of hours for longer trips. I did notice there are lots of places to charge between Montreal and Quebec City.
Judging by the crowds at highway service areas, most people would do longer trips in the warmer months (or should I say, warmer month?).
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China doesn’t have a comparative advantage in the manufacture of EVs.
This is about job creation not just saving money
Excerpt from my letter to the editor that appeared in the Globe and Mail in 2023:
**So the Federal Government is providing $13 billion in subsidies over 10 years to Volkswagen to create up to 3,000 jobs in its electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas. Can’t politicians do the math: that’s $4.3 million per job created! The Ontario government’s contribution will be on top of that.
Difficult to say how many spin-off jobs will be created but no guarantee those will all be in Canada given the integrated nature of the US and Canadian economies.
Volkswagen is undoubtedly laughing all the way to the bank. The automotive companies have been playing the subsidy game successfully for decades.
Alan Cooke
Retired Actuary
Vancouver**
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IFYL.
This makes zero sense.
You will never be able to compete on price with China.
You are wasting money that would be of better use in industries were you have a comparative advantage.
The result of this protectionism is a deadweight loss to people in Quebec who pay much higher prices for EVs.
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