Mexico a ‘Backdoor’ for Chinese Goods, Ontario Premier Says, Urging Canada-US Bilateral Deal

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the federal government should prioritize bilateral trade with the United States and abandon the three-country deal with Mexico if it refuses to impose tariffs on Chinese goods.
Ford alleged on Nov. 12 that cheap Chinese products are being rebranded as Mexican-made and resold to Canada and the United States, bypassing efforts by both countries to restrict Chinese imports.
Earlier on Nov. 12, Ford issued a statement, criticizing Mexico as a “backdoor” for Chinese imports, and urged the Mexican government to align with Canadian and U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.
“If Mexico won’t fight transshipment by, at the very least, matching Canadian and American tariffs on Chinese imports, they shouldn’t have a seat at the table or enjoy access to the largest economy in the world,” he wrote.
Canada’s 100 percent tariff for all Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) took effect on Oct. 1, including certain hybrid cars, trucks, and buses. A 25 percent surtax on Chinese steel and aluminum products also came into effect on Oct. 22.
“[Ontario is] the number one export destination to 17 states, and number two to 11 other states,” he said. “So do we have a stake in this? 1,000 percent, more than any other jurisdiction, and we’re going to continue to lead.”
Asked by reporters about Ford’s proposal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said many democracies around the world now have expressed “varying degrees of concern” about China’s unfair trade practices.
“We’re going to continue to work with partners like the United States, and hopefully Mexico as well, to make sure that we are united in our desire to protect good jobs that are more responsible around the environment than they are in China, more responsible around labour practices, and supporting families in meaningful ways,” he said during a press conference on Nov. 12.
“I know this is a concern that’s shared by the American government—the current and the incoming government alike—and we’ll work together with them to ensure that we’re aligned in our approach,” Trudeau added in French.