Carney sees Ottawa’s growing ties with EU leading to more partnerships with Canada’s auto sector

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Speaking at a summit in Dublin, Prime Minister declined to say whether Canada was any closer to welcoming Chinese investment in the sector

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he expects more European partnerships with Canada’s auto sector coming out of Ottawa’s budding relationship with the European Union but couldn’t say whether Chinese automakers are any closer to building cars here.

Speaking to reporters at a summit of European leaders in Dublin, the Prime Minister said Chinese investment in Canada’s auto sector will be one of the topics under discussion with China’s President Xi Jinping when the two meet next week in Shenzhen.

Mr. Carney’s visit to the European Political Community summit in Ireland on Thursday is his first trip to the continent since it was confirmed last month that Canada is working toward becoming the first “associate member” of the European Union.

Back in January Mr. Carney’s government announced a strategic partnership with China and said flowing from that it expected significant Chinese auto investment in Canada “within three years.”

But on Thursday, Mr. Carney declined to say whether Canada was any closer to welcoming Chinese investment in the auto sector 10 months after the Beijing announcement with Mr. Xi.

“Canadian auto workers are some of the most productive auto workers in the world, are certainly the most productive in North America, and so we want real opportunity for those workers,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted South Korea and Japanese and Europeans have made or pledged investments in Canada’s auto sector, including within the electric vehicle industry. Toyota and Honda have car plants, and other companies have pledged battery facilities.

The auto sector has Asian partners and European partners, he noted. “I think you will see more European partnerships coming out of this,” the Prime Minister said, referring to growing Canada-EU relations.

He hedged on China, though, saying “the extent to which there’s Chinese investment depends on a variety of factors. It’ll be one of the discussions with President Xi.”

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