Elissa Slotkin’s Upcoming Visit to Canada
Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic presidential candidate from Michigan, is set to visit Canada this Saturday. Her agenda includes a summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and fellow center-left politicians, focusing on strategies to combat right-wing policies related to pricing. This meeting takes place as Canada moves to strengthen its economic ties with China, coinciding with its initial shipments of electric vehicles manufactured in China.
As reported by Semaphore, Slotkin, along with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, is expected to participate in discussions also involving European liberal politicians at an event organized by the Center for American Progress (CAP). This summit aims to explore ways to counteract right-wing politicians on affordability issues. CAP President Neera Tanden mentioned that the discussions would include methods to address what they see as rising authoritarianism from the right. Democrats believe there’s a lot to gain from observing Carney’s approach, as he’s successfully shifted the Liberal Party of Canada toward more centrist policies, gaining popularity in the process.
In an unrelated note, Breitbart News highlighted that CAP announced significant annual funding from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations back in July 2025.
Former President Barack Obama is also making waves with a keynote speech scheduled Friday in Toronto. This event is organized by Canada 2020, a think tank aiming to promote a more inclusive and progressive Canada.
In recent statements, Slotkin has urged the Democratic Party to “take back the national flag.” She discussed concerns about the military potentially being used against Americans, yet she conceded during an ABC interview that, to her knowledge, former President Trump had not issued any illegal orders. She expressed her views on what she interprets as propaganda efforts, particularly noting criticisms from former CIA officer Brian Dean Wright regarding her comments.
Slotkin’s visit aligns with Carney’s ongoing effort to deepen Canada’s economic relationship with China. Earlier this year, Carney announced a “new strategic partnership” with China, indicating the significant opportunities this partnership could bring to Canada, especially regarding diversifying trade and increasing investments.
The partnership includes a provision that permits up to 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter Canada under a favorable tariff of 6.1%. This deal is slated to boost Chinese investments in Canada’s automotive sector and enhance the country’s electric vehicle supply chain.
The first shipment of Chinese electric vehicles recently arrived in Canada, marking a significant milestone. Geely-owned Lotus was the first company to deliver 18 Eletore SUVs from Shanghai to Canada, which is noteworthy under the new trade agreement.
However, the influx of Chinese cars into North America has sparked concerns among U.S. lawmakers and national security experts. During congressional hearings in December 2025, John Moolenaar, the chairman of the House Select Committee on China, warned that these vehicles might function as “potential spying platforms.” He suggested that modern cars, equipped with various sensors and connectivity features, could pose risks to national security.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi raised similar alarms about China’s practices within the auto sector, including strategies like forced joint ventures and intellectual property theft. He highlighted that, often, the prices of electric cars in China are lower than manufacturing costs, which raises concerns about market fairness.
Witnesses at these hearings voiced apprehensions about the integration of connected car technology and the dominance of Chinese supply chains, suggesting a potential vulnerability to malware and other threats. Former British diplomat Charles Parton characterized certain components used in connected cars as gateways to transportation systems, alerting that much of the world’s supply comes from China. Comparatively, Peter Ludwig, specializing in automotive software, likened the risks posed by Chinese vehicles to the digital threats represented by TikTok.
Carney has emphasized the need to lessen Canada’s reliance on the United States. After the Liberal victory in April 2026, he argued that former strengths in the U.S.-Canada economic relationship were becoming liabilities. He reaffirmed that Canada must adapt to changes in the United States and should no longer depend solely on one foreign partner for trade.
