Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Kitchen & Dining Tech Style & Beauty Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Amazon Prime Day Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaCanadian PoliticsTrump says he ‘could understand’ Canada’s cap on Chinese electric vehicle imports‘He likes the structure,’ Carney told reporters at the G7 leaders summit. Speaking later, Trump said: ‘I don’t know that I said I like it, but I could understand that’Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Prime Minister Mark Carney at a working lunch with leaders of G7 and the Middle East, on June 16, 2026 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein - Pool/Getty ImagesU.S. President Donald Trump is happy with Canada’s arrangement to allow a capped number of Chinese electric vehicles to be imported at a low-tariff rate, Prime Minister Mark Carney said.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorWhen asked about Carney’s comment, Trump didn’t express explicit approval, but said he could understand the quota.The deal, unveiled during Carney’s trip to Beijing in January, allows as many as 49,000 Chinese EVs in a 12-month period at a tariff rate of around 6 per cent, with that quota to climb gradually over time. Prior to this year, Canada had a tariff of more than 100% on those vehicles.“He likes the structure, actually,” Carney told reporters at the Group of Seven leaders summit in Evian, France, on Wednesday. “We had a follow-up conversation.”A hot mic captured Carney talking to Trump on Tuesday about the China deal and explaining how it capped the number of imported cars. “I thought you’d actually like that,” Carney was heard saying. Trump appeared to agree, saying “that’s good.”Asked Wednesday about the interaction, Carney said the topic came up because Trump inquired about it.Speaking later to reporters, Trump’s comment on the exchange was: “I don’t know that I said I like it, but I could understand that, yeah.”He added: “Would I rather see a cap than no cap? Yeah, I would.”Trump and Carney didn’t have a formal bilateral meeting during the G7, though Carney said the two had conversations throughout the summit on a “wide range of subjects.”Canada’s accord with China has been harshly criticized by members of Trump’s administration, which has kept its 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs in place and is implementing a ban on the cars’ software over national security concerns.And the agreement remains a sensitive subject as Canada seeks to lower Trump’s tariffs on foreign-built cars.Trump condemned Canada’s dealings with China immediately after Carney’s January visit in a series of Truth Social posts, claiming that China was “taking over the once great country.”Dominic LeBlanc, the Canadian minister responsible for the talks, met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the summit Tuesday. LeBlanc later described it as a “constructive meeting,” but was vague about whether concrete progress was made toward lowering tariffs.Meanwhile, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is in China this week, in part to meet with Chinese carmakers. The government has sought joint ventures between Chinese and Canadian firms to build EVs in Canada, but on Wednesday Carney downplayed expectations for quick results.Canada’s EV deal with China “creates the possibility — possibility, not the certainty in any way — that this commercial relationship develops, and there’s Chinese investment in Canada,” Carney said.Carney added that the investment he was referring to needed to be “material Canadian production” and that the government wasn’t interested in so-called knockdown kits, where the cars are largely built in China but then shipped overseas for final assembly.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.