Rights Groups Urge Ottawa to Maintain Chinese EV Tariffs Amid Canola Dispute

Human rights and civil society groups are urging Ottawa to maintain tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), saying that allowing them into the Canadian market could pose national security risks. 

Pro-democracy group Saskatchewan Stands with Hong Kong issued a press release on Oct. 16, calling on the federal government to maintain its tariffs on Chinese EVs “in light of serious national security concerns.” The call comes after China’s ambassador to Canada last weekend suggested that dropping the tariffs could prompt Beijing to lift its levies on Canadian canola–a proposal Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew have urged Ottawa to consider.