China’s EV Makers Gain Foothold in North America as Canada Eases Trade Barriers

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are poised to challenge North American automakers after Canada lifted its 100% tariff on China-made EVs. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the policy shift during his Beijing visit, replacing the prohibitive duty with a 6.1% levy and annual import quota of 49,000 units.

The MOVE follows similar tariff reductions by the European Union, creating coordinated openings for brands like Geely. While immediate volume impacts will be modest, analysts note the strategic importance of establishing distribution channels in protected Western markets during this transitional period.

Market observers draw parallels to cryptocurrency adoption curves, where early regulatory cracks often precede exponential growth. The EV policy shift coincides with bullish sentiment for automotive-adjacent crypto projects including IoT chains (IOTA, VET), charging infrastructure tokens (CHZ, POWR), and lithium mining platforms (LITH).