Homing in once again on the fractured Canada-U.S. relationship, Liberal Leader Mark Carney unveiled a $2-billion proposal to protect Canada’s auto industry while in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday โ one of theย front lines of the tariff war.ย
Calling it a “strategic response fund,” Carney said the money would be usedย to boost the auto sector’s competitiveness, protect manufacturing jobs, help workers gainย additional expertiseย in the industry and build “a fortified Canadian supply chain.”
“Our auto sector has always been there for our country, so in this time of uncertainty and need, Canada will be there for our autoworkers,” Carney said in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge.ย
The crossing not only connects Windsor and Michigan, but also helps shuttle millions of dollars worth of goods traded between Canada and the United States every day.
Windsor, home to major auto plants like Ford and Stellantis, has become synonymous not just with Canada’s auto industry, but also its deeply intertwined trade relationship with the U.S. industry.
Auto parts are often passed back and forth across the border multiple times during production. When tariffs and counter-tariffs are imposed on auto sector parts, the added costs can snowball quickly.
Carney called it a “huge vulnerability” and promised to build an “all-in-Canada” manufacturing network to build more car parts domestically, limiting how often they cross the border during production.
“In the new world, that will be an advantage,” he said.ย “That will help insulate us from President Trump’s trade threats and it will grow the economy.”
If elected April 28, Carney said his government would also prioritize and procure Canadian-built vehicles.
WATCH |ย Carney announces $2B fund to protect tariff-threatened auto industryย
Wednesday’s announcement is part of Carney’s broader campaign to pitch himself to Canadians as the best person to take on U.S. Donald Trump, who continues to dangle the threat of more economic woe.
The president has already imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and has threatened more to come April 2.ย
