Maninder Sidhu Visits Chery Plant in Wuhu, Igniting Union Firestorm Over Canadian Auto Jobs

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu's recent visit to the Chery auto plant in Wuhu, China, has triggered a sharp political and labor backlash in Canada. While Sidhu framed the trip as a diplomatic effort to "hear about their plans to introduce affordable EVs to Canadians," Unifor President Lana Payne and the Canadian Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) are warning that such courtesies to Chinese manufacturers threaten the viability of domestic auto production.

The "Sell Here, Build Here" Push

Unifor, representing thousands of auto workers in Ontario, has intensified its "Sell Here, Build Here" campaign in direct response to Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade deal with Beijing. The deal allows up to 49,000 electric vehicles per year into Canada at a reduced 6.1% tariff rate. Payne argued in Oshawa that this quota is a "self-inflicted wound" to an already injured industry, noting that the government has provided a "built-in escalator" for Chinese EV market share.

• Unifor's Stance: Companies accessing the Canadian market must invest in local job creation and manufacturing.
• CAPA's Warning: CAPA President Flavio Volpe stated that courting Chinese automakers should not be a federal priority, emphasizing the need to support the five existing Canadian assembly plants and their hundreds of suppliers.
• Brampton Context: The controversy is particularly sensitive in Sidhu's home riding of Brampton East, where the idled Stellantis plant remains a focal point for job security concerns.

Implications for the Canadian EV Market

The friction between federal trade strategy and labor interests highlights a core tension in Canada's EV transition. While the Carney government aims to broaden consumer choice and lower prices through the Chinese quota, labor leaders argue that the long-term industrial base is at risk. As the first wave of Chinese-made EVs arrives in Canadian ports, the debate over whether to prioritize import volume or domestic manufacturing resilience will likely dominate the political landscape heading into 2027.

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