Doug Ford sounds alarm on Stellantis talks on Chinese EVs

Ontario Premier Doug Ford delivers remarks at Centennial Hall on March 16. Photo by John Lawless/The Brockville Recorder and Times filesArticle contentOntario Premier Doug Ford said he’d oppose any deal between Stellantis NV to build electric vehicles with China’s Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. in his province unless the automakers are buying local parts.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentFord assailed the potential use of “knockdown kits,” where the cars are largely built in China and then shipped overseas for final assembly. Stellantis and Leapmotor are discussing options for making EVs in Canada, Bloomberg News reported earlier, citing people familiar with the matter. The talks are at an early stage.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle content“If they’re bringing kits over made in China, all that does is undermine every single auto worker we have in Ontario,” Ford said in an interview late Wednesday in Dallas, where he’s on a trade mission. “I am dead against it.”Article contentThe discussions with Leapmotor are focused on an idled Stellantis factory in Brampton, Ont.. Stellantis has been holding talks about the assembly plant’s future with Industry Minister Melanie Joly, who said in a statement that “any new auto investments will prioritize Canada’s supply chain, including Canadian labour and parts suppliers.”Article contentThe potential for Chinese-led vehicle production in one of the United States’ closest allies and trading partners shows the ripple effects of U.S.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign-made cars and trucks, which have disrupted the integrated North American auto sector and cost automakers billions of dollars.Article contentThe Ontario premier has more riding on the resolution of North American trade tensions than almost any other Canadian politician. The province is home to all of Canada’s automotive assembly plants, which produced about 1.2 million vehicles last year, most of them for export to the U.S. But the traditional U.S. automakers — Stellantis, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. — have pulled back significantly on their Canadian production.Article contentArticle contentUnifor, a labour union that represents workers at the Brampton plant, said it would have “serious concerns” about a partnership with a Chinese firm. The use of knockdown kits would only employ a small fraction of workers, Unifor said.Article contentRead More Stellantis in talks to make Chinese EVs at idle Brampton plant Stellantis weighs deals with China carmakers to shore up Europe Article contentFord echoed that view, adding that he’d have no problem with an investment geared toward a fully functioning factory that depends on local parts.Article content“What I do have a problem is when we get undermined and auto workers get undermined by cheap Chinese parts and vehicles,” he said.Article contentTrade tiesArticle contentThe premier was in Texas to meet with business and political leaders in the state, where he called for a re-commitment to free trade among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The North American countries are heading into the first mandatory review of the trade agreement they signed during Trump’s first term.Article content“We’re stronger together,” Ford said. “It can be three countries that we put a ring around — no one can touch us.”Article contentHe met with companies that do business in Texas and Ontario, including Houston-based Waste Management Inc., which he said is planning to expand its operations in the Canadian province. Ford also touted opportunities for more trade between the U.S. and Canada, citing Ontario’s investments in nuclear energy technology, including small modular reactors, and critical minerals.Article content“Your closest friend and ally right on the other side of the border has more minerals than anyone in the world right now, that we want to get out of the ground, get them processed and sent down to the U.S.,” he said.Article contentBloomberg.comArticle contentTrending CRA denied taxpayer with multiple health issues the disability tax credit Personal Finance U.S. targets Canada’s cloud-computing move as trade irritant Economy Posthaste: Look for the Canadian dollar to be an 'underperformer' once the war winds down, says CIBC News Snowbirds moving back home drives demand for cottage properties, says Royal LePage Real Estate Red Lobster to bring back endless shrimp deal that drove it to bankruptcy Retail & Marketing Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. CRA denied taxpayer with multiple health issues the disability tax credit Personal Finance U.S. targets Canada’s cloud-computing move as trade irritant Economy Posthaste: Look for the Canadian dollar to be an 'underperformer' once the war winds down, says CIBC News Snowbirds moving back home drives demand for cottage properties, says Royal LePage Real Estate Red Lobster to bring back endless shrimp deal that drove it to bankruptcy Retail & Marketing