Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said Friday Americans would be hurt by a trade deal between China and Canada as foreign nations seek new trade partners amid the Trump administration’s tariff wars.
“We just got absolutely rolled in this Canada – China deal. A stark foreign policy failure with domestic economic consequences,” Schatz wrote in a post on social platform X.
“The most basic principle in politics and geopolitics is loyalty to friends. And we weren’t just disloyal – we were hostile. So here we are,” he added.
Under the deal, Canada dropped its 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and raised its cap on EV imports in exchange for Beijing lowering tariffs on Canadian farm products, including canola seeds.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “historic” visit to Beijing heralded a “new strategic partnership” that “created massive opportunities for both our peoples.”
President Trump acknowledged the deal on Friday and encouraged Carney to build ties with China.
“That’s OK. That’s what he should be doing. I mean, it’s a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that,” Trump told reporters.
Trump announced his own deal to roll back tariffs on China following a November meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Some Canadian politicians outside of Carney’s government were not impressed.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre slammed the deal, claiming it would hurt the Canadian auto industry, while asking how the prime minister squared his warm comments in Beijing with previous warnings that China was Canada’s “biggest security threat.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has railed against Trump’s tariffs, also knocked the new deal with China.
“Make no mistake: China now has a foothold in the Canadian market and will use it to their full advantage at the expense of Canadian workers,” Ford wrote in a Friday post on X.
“The federal government is inviting a flood of cheap made-in-China electric vehicles without any real guarantee of equal or immediate investments in Canada’s economy, auto sector or supply chain,” he added.
“Worse, by lowering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this lopsided deal risks closing the door on Canadian automakers to the American market, our largest export destination, which would hurt our economy and lead to job losses.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5693288-schatz-criticizes-china-canada-deal/
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