Trudeau calls Poilievre's stance on Chinese EV tariffs 'baloney' | CBC News (2024)

Nick Murray · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 12, 2024 3:41 PM EDT | Last Updated: August 12

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau took aim at federal Conservatives on Monday, accusing leader Pierre Poilievre of not supporting investments in the electric vehicle sector.

Trudeau wasattending a funding announcement at Goodyear's tire plant in Napanee, Ont. Goodyear Canada announced it isinvesting$575 millionto expand and modernize the plantwith the goal of making it net-zero in less than two decades. The federal government is contributing$44.3 million, while Ontario's government is kicking in another $20 million.

Trudeau said the plant's increased capacity will include tires made specifically for electric vehicles.

While taking questions following the event,Trudeau was asked to respond to Poilievre's calls on Friday for Canada to impose tariffs onChinese electric vehicles and associated parts.

Trudeau didn't address the question oftariffs on China. Instead, he accused Poilievre of not supportinginvestments like the one his government announced inNapanee.

"It's a bit of a joke that Poilievre is suddenly talking about workers in the auto industry. He has said repeatedly that he wouldn't be making these investments in our auto industry. He'd be cutting our investments in EVs," Trudeau told reporters.

"We have been there every step of the way, and the federal Conservatives continue to say they'd cut it all. They don't support it. They don't believe in investing in Canadian workers. So for him to suddenly turn around and say, 'Oh we're worried about EVs'? That's baloney."

A spokesperson forDeputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister ChrystiaFreelandsaid on Friday — following Poilievre's call for tariffs on Chinese EVs — that a decision on tariffs would be made "soon."

WATCH: Trudeau pushes back after Poilievre calls for tariffs on Chinese EVs

While Poilievre has expressed skepticism about the government's investments in the auto sector for foreign companies — notably the government's investment in the Volkswagen battery plant, which the Parliamentary Budget Officerestimated at $16.3 billion — the Conservative leader has been silent on whether he'd maintain those EV sector investments.

Poilievre was asked in May whether he'd cancel tax credits for EV manufacturing. He said the party"look[s] at Justin Trudeau's many promises and we judge them not on what he says but what actually happens."

On Monday, CBC News asked Poilievre's office for comment on Trudeau's remarks and to state whether the Conservative leader would maintain investments like the one made to Goodyear.

"While Trudeau is happy to put on a smile and tell Canadians they never had it so good, Canadian workers have no reason to thank Trudeau after nine years of his destructive policies that are weakening paycheques and sending investments and jobs out of the country," Conservative labour critic Kyle Seebacksaid.

"[Trudeau]gave billions of taxpayer dollars to bring in foreign replacement workers, he has driven $460 billion in investment out of our country to the [United States], and he has failed to stand up to the regime in Beijing to defend our industries against flooding our market with cheap EVs, steel, aluminum and other products."

Poilievre's office did not address whether a Conservative government would cut government investments in the EV sector.

Monday's news conference marked the first time Trudeau has taken questions from reporters in the month since the NATO summit. He wrapped by touting the government's deals with the EV sector over the past year or so, notably with Honda,Stellantisand Northvolt.

• This Sunday, Cross CountryCheckupis asking:Would you buy an affordable EV made in China?Fill outthis formand you could appear on the show or have your comment read on air.

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