While Scott Moe praises Prime Minister for Mark Carney following the deal he struck with China last Friday, a premier on the other side of the country is quite disappointed. 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says although Carney’s deal provides security for canola and pea farmers out west, it risks the future of his province’s auto sector. 

In exchange for lowered or removed tariffs on agricultural products, Carney agreed to significantly lower tariffs on 49,000 Chinese-made EVs annually. 

“We’ve seen what happens when cheap Chinese vehicles enter Western markets. That’s the risk that this deal is creating right here in Ontario.”

Ford adds that he was only made aware of the deal just two hours ahead of it being signed, which he says is ‘unacceptable’. 

“Before we do anything, and if it has anything to do with the federal government, we consult. We speak to ’em. But to just all of a sudden get a two hours’ notice phone call?”

Ford says the solution lies in finding new trade partners, not sacrificing important industries to appease old ones.