China’s EV brands may start building in Canada as tariffs drop, but U.S. backlash and Canadian labor concerns are already heating up

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed as “political noise” the moves in recent days by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney to strengthen trade relations with China, and raised the risk of that maneuver seeping into talks over a revamped North American trade accord later this year.

Diplomatic tensions rise as Donald Trump alleges Canadian opposition to US missile defence over Greenland, criticises trade with China, and Canadian leaders respond.

Canada and China have reached a preliminary agreement to remove all tariffs from canola meal and peas. Tariffs on canola seed are expected to be reduced to 15 per cent.

Allied Gold has agreed to be acquired by Hong Kong-based Zijin Gold International in a deal worth 5.5 billion Canadian dollars, or roughly US$4.01 billion.