Canada to Impose 100% Tariff on Chinese Electric Vehicle Imports - 1

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Canada to Impose 100% Tariff on Chinese Electric Vehicle Imports

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that a 100% tariff will be imposed on electric vehicles (EV) imported from China, starting on October 1.

The measure on Chinese-produced vehicles is similar to the one announced by the United States in May to protect American businesses and workers.

Trudeau also included a 25% tariff on imported aluminum and steel from the country. According to The Guardian , he acknowledges “China’s intentional, state-directed policy of over-capacity” and unfair market practices.

“I think we all know that China is not playing by the same rules,” said the Prime Minister to reporters in a closed-door cabinet meeting in Halifax. “What is important about this is we’re doing it in alignment and in parallel with other economies around the world.”

According to the BBC , the European Union also raised tariffs for Chinese EVs from 17.4% to 37.6% in July, following the U.S. lead.

Canada made a significant move, as China is the country’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. According to recent data, EV imports from China increased by 460% in 2023.

Trudeau didn’t clarify if the new measure will affect American companies like Tesla, which also produces its vehicles in China and has been shipping cars from Shanghai to Canada—part of the reason why EV import numbers have jumped.

“In response to the tariffs, I would expect Tesla would shift its logistics and potentially export autos to Canada from the US,” Seth Goldstein, equity strategist at Morningstar, told The Guardian.

Canadian producers feel relieved. “We feel vindicated and motivated. Let’s now get to the business of defending our market with the best of Canadian innovation and resolve,” said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, to The Guardian via email.

China hasn’t shared public statements about this measure yet, and many wonder about the Chinese government’s reaction.

Uber Fined €290 Million For Data Privacy Violations - 2

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Uber Fined €290 Million For Data Privacy Violations

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer

Uber was hit with a €290 million fine today ($324 million) by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) for unlawfully transferring the personal data of European drivers to the United States, violating European Union (EU) regulations.

It’s reported that the data transferred included ID documents, taxi licenses, location data, payment details, and in some cases, even criminal and medical records.

In its press release, the DPA noted that Uber transferred this data to its U.S. headquarters over a period of more than two years without implementing the necessary safeguards. This lack of protection occurred despite the EU’s Court of Justice invalidating the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield in 2020.

The press release also says that while Standard Contractual Clauses were suggested as a valid alternative for transferring data outside the EU, these clauses require that an equivalent level of data protection is ensured in practice, which the DPA asserts Uber failed to achieve.

Uber, however, strongly disagrees with the ruling. “This flawed decision and extraordinary fine are completely unjustified,” Uber spokesperson Caspar Nixon told Reuters in an email.

Others in the industry have criticized the fine. “The busiest internet route in the world could not simply be put on hold for three entire years while governments worked to establish a new legal framework for these data flows,” says Alexandre Roure, head of policy for the Computer and Communications Industry Association in a (CCIA) statement .

Roure also expresses concern over the fine, noting that “retroactive fines by data protection authorities are especially worrisome given that these very privacy watchdogs failed to provide helpful guidance during this period of significant legal uncertainty.”

The investigation that led to this fine began after a French human rights organization filed a complaint on behalf of over 170 taxi drivers. As Uber’s European headquarters are based in the Netherlands, the case was transferred to the Dutch DPA.