Globalist Prime Minister Mark Carney was caught on a hot microphone attempting to reassure President Donald Trump about Canada’s decision to reopen its market to Chinese electric vehicles, revealing a private exchange that has raised fresh questions about Ottawa’s trade relationship with Beijing.

The exchange took place during the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where world leaders were meeting to discuss global economic and security issues, including concerns over China’s state-backed industrial policies.

Hot Mic Captures Private Exchange

According to footage first highlighted by Newsweek, Carney leaned toward Trump and attempted to downplay the significance of Canada’s recent agreement with China.

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“Less than 3 percent of our market, 49,000 cars,” Carney told Trump while making a gesture indicating a cap on vehicle imports.

“I thought you’d like that.”

Trump responded briefly.

“That’s good, I like that,” the president replied.

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The conversation came after Canada reached a new trade arrangement with Beijing that significantly reduced tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles entering the Canadian market.

Canada Reversed Previous Policy

Under the previous Canadian policy adopted in 2024, Chinese electric vehicles faced a 100 percent tariff, effectively blocking manufacturers such as BYD from gaining meaningful access to the Canadian market.

After a trip to Beijing earlier this year, however, Carney’s government agreed to reduce that tariff to approximately 6.1 percent while imposing a cap of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles.

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In exchange, China reportedly reduced tariffs on Canadian canola exports from 85 percent to roughly 15 percent.

The move has drawn scrutiny because it comes as Western nations continue expressing concerns about China’s use of heavy state subsidies to support domestic industries and undercut competitors around the world.

Concerns Raised Over North American Auto Industry

Trade analysts have warned that even limited access for Chinese electric vehicles could create challenges for the integrated North American automotive supply chain.

Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics argued that allowing Chinese vehicles into Canada could reduce the scale advantages currently enjoyed by manufacturers operating across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The concern comes as major automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Hyundai, and Toyota, continue investing heavily in North American manufacturing facilities.

Critics argue that subsidized Chinese competitors could gain an advantage if granted expanded access to the region.

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Questions Remain About Trump’s Response

The brief exchange has fueled speculation about whether Trump’s response reflected approval of Canada’s policy or simply an acknowledgment during a busy summit conversation.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not publicly clarify the administration’s position following the reports.

The issue carries additional significance because President Trump has repeatedly emphasized rebuilding American manufacturing and reducing U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains.

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The administration has previously warned against allowing Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers to gain a foothold in North American markets, citing both economic and national security concerns.

Trade Tensions Continue

The incident highlights growing tensions over how Western nations should respond to China’s expanding influence in strategic industries.

While Carney has sought to diversify Canada’s trade relationships amid ongoing disputes with Washington, critics argue that reopening the Canadian market to Chinese electric vehicles sends mixed signals at a time when the United States and other allies are attempting to counter Beijing’s economic leverage.

For now, the Canada-China agreement remains in place, but the hot mic moment offered a rare glimpse into the private conversations taking place behind closed doors as leaders navigate increasingly complex trade relationships.

The exchange also underscored a broader reality facing Western governments: balancing economic interests with growing concerns about China’s long-term role in critical industries and global supply chains.

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