This week’s announcement by automaker Stellantis that it’s moving Jeep Compass production from its Brampton, Ont., plant, to Illinois, highlights the folly of Ottawa’s policy of competing with Washington. But it also provides Canada an opportunity to reduce taxpayers’ exposure to the sagging electric vehicle battery market.

On Tuesday, Stellantis announced a US$13-billion (C$18-billion) plan to increase production in the United States by 50 per cent over the next four years, a move clearly designed to curry favour with the Trump administration and lessen the impact of the 25 per cent tariffs the U.S. imposed on foreign automobiles. Part of that will include moving Jeep production south of the border, putting the future of the Brampton plant in question.

In response, Industry Minister M

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