Canada should have a free and open trading relationship with other free nations. But it would be the height of foolishness to apply that same type of thinking to Communist China.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is proposing significant tariffs on China, tariffs that would align Canadian policy with our closest allies to the south.
Here’s what Poilievre is calling for:
Introduce a 100% tariff on made-in-China EVs entering Canada.
Introduce a 50% tariff on semiconductors and solar cells.
Introduce a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products, graphite, other critical minerals, EV batteries, battery parts, permanent magnets and ship-to-shore cranes.
Ensure there are no more rebates for made-in-China EVs.
On social media, some are criticizing these proposals as ‘populist’ or warning about the impact on consumers.
However, those criticisms are missing a key point:
China isn’t a free and open nation.
Imposing such massive tariffs on an ally like the United States, the U.K., Germany, or France would be foolish.
But when it comes to China, ramping up tariffs is essential.
Remember, manufacturing power has a strong connection to military power.
If China is allowed to hollow out the industrial base of every free nation, what will we do if a large-scale war occurs?
If China dominates the semiconductor industry, how will we build advanced weapons?
How can we and our allies outproduce China if they can dump deliberate overproduction on our markets and wipe out our domestic industries?
Simply put, Poilievre is right about imposing huge tariffs on China because this is a matter of national security and national defence.
As much as we hope to avoid it, we must be prepared for war, and imposing tariffs on China is an essential part of that preparation.
Spencer Fernando
