The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that Canada is planning to reserve preferential access to its domestic auto market for foreign automakers that build vehicles in this country under a new policy to be released in February. The Globe's Steven Chase writes that an official speaking on background also said Canada gave advance notice to the United States of its Jan. 16 decision to part with Washington and slash tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles that were imposed in tandem with the Americans in 2024. Under Ottawa's new auto policy, foreign companies that make cars in Canada will have more favourable access to the Canadian market than those that choose to import cars assembled outside the country. Professor Greig Mordue at McMaster University said the policy appears to be aimed at attracting investment from Chinese and other foreign automakers, repeating tactics used in the 1980s that enticed Japanese manufacturers to establish assembly plants in Ontario. However, uncertainty regarding Canada's access to the large U.S. auto market could discourage foreign automakers this time around. "Is Canada a big enough market to lure an auto assembly plant?" he asked. "It's not impossible, but it's tough."