Windsor‑Essex Chamber Responds to Canada–China Trade Agreement, January 16, 2026

The Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the federal government’s new Canada–China trade agreement, which will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market at a 6.1% tariff, while China reduces canola seed duties to roughly 15% and removes other agricultural barriers beginning in March.

This marks a significant shift in Canada’s efforts to stabilize relations with China and rebuild export opportunities.

For Windsor Essex—Canada’s automotive and manufacturing hub and home to the busiest commercial border crossing—the implications are substantial. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has warned that increased access for low-cost Chinese EVs could pressure domestic manufacturers and potentially affect access to the U.S. market, Canada’s largest export destination and the backbone of Ontario’s auto economy.

These concerns are particularly relevant to Windsor Essex, where thousands of jobs and more than 1,800 supply chain firms rely on stable, friction-free North–South trade.

The Chamber emphasizes that diversification must not be mistaken for a shift away from the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed today that the Canada–U.S. relationship remains “much more multifaceted, much deeper, much broader” than Canada’s relationship with China.

This is especially true for Windsor Essex, where more than $300–$350 million USD in goods cross the Windsor–Detroit border daily, driving the region’s automotive, logistics, agrifood, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We support diversifying export markets as a long-term resilience strategy, but diversification must grow our region’s GDP—not simply redirect volumes from one partner to another. A strong Canada-US relationship means a strong Windsor-Essex economy.

As Canada expands its international trade relationships, including today’s renewed engagement with China, the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce urges the federal government to ensure that new agreements strengthen—rather than weaken—our region’s integrated cross-border advantage.

Windsor Essex’s long term growth, workforce stability, and competitiveness in the global EV and advanced manufacturing landscape depend on it.