Not "set to", more like "considering to". But I very much hope we do it.
Cons: it will probably be the death sentence to the Canadian auto industry.
Pros: the gas engine auto industry is dying already anyway, with or without a deal with the Chinese. Besides, if we make the deal now, at least we can sell canola and pork to them.
It already has a death sentence on the calendar: 2035
This is a direct response to tariffs. Canada is done playing nice with its big jerk trading partner and will be opening its options to achieve this goal if the tariffs aren't lifted.
Worth considering at least, and looking at approaches like you mentioned and avoiding allowing free entry of foreign vehicles. We could consider partnerships (if China is interested) like we have with other foreign manufacturers like Honda and Toyota. We should also be considering expanding the existing relationships, though I'm sure there are retooling costs, and possibly playing hardball with other manufacturers to encourage them to setup shop (e.g. Kia/Hyundai).
I doubt I'm offering anything that hasn't been part of discussions already, but having the ability to manufacture vehicles seems like an area of industrialization a country shouldn't part with lightly.
It'd be nice to us dropping to 30% like the EU worked out with China... or even 50% if that is enough to get canola tariffs dropped.
I drive a Polestar2, a Chinese (Geely) produced EV. The quality is good. The price for what it is... too high. And now most support for it is being dropped and sales networks in North America drying up because of these tariffs and political moves.
Cons: it will probably be the death sentence to the Canadian auto industry.
Pros: the gas engine auto industry is dying already anyway, with or without a deal with the Chinese. Besides, if we make the deal now, at least we can sell canola and pork to them.