The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Jan. 20, edition that Mark Carney's trade deal with China is not a strong vote of confidence for the future of Canada's auto industry. The Globe's Campbell Clark writes that Mr. Carney's concession to accept 49,000 Chinese vehicles annually with low tariffs signals that the Prime Minister is not optimistic about the long-standing cross-border auto trade. Mr. Carney's federal government is seeking new investors for Canada's auto sector, targeting foreign automakers from South Korea and China. Ottawa plans to offer them preferential access to the Canadian market if they manufacture here. Ontario Premier Doug Ford does not like that idea. Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, said Mr. Carney's deal was not favourable for the auto industry, though he understood the need to balance various interests. He also noted Mr. Carney's $5-billion commitment last year to a "strategic response fund" to support the industry. Still, he said the signal no longer seems to be the all-out commitment to save the auto sector that was central to Liberal policy and politics under Justin Trudeau.