Canada threatened legal action against Stellantis NV after the carmaker announced it would shift Jeep Compass SUV manufacturing from Brampton, Ont. to Belvidere, Illinois following U.S. President

Donald Trump ’s tariffs . Industry Minister Melanie Joly would consider Stellantis in “default” in light of government support extended to the automaker, following an agreement to “maintain its full Canadian footprint, including Brampton,” she told chief executive Antonio Filosa in a letter seen by Bloomberg, dated Wednesday.

Joly called the plan to move Jeep manufacturing south of the border “unacceptable” and demanded Stellantis “quickly identify new mandates for Brampton that ensure the facility remains central to your manufacturing footprint, and that contracts with Canadian suppliers be honored.”

“It is imperative that you extend the workers’ transition program, agreed to with

Unifor , until at least 2027,” she added, referring to the union. Joly specifically identified “legally binding commitments” Stellantis made in the past such as by accepting support via Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.

A Stellantis representative confirmed the company had received the letter.

The carmaker is moving one model from Canada to the U.S. but it has “plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government,” the spokesperson previously said by email in response to questions.

The company is also adding a third shift to its Windsor, Ont. plant, to support increased demand for the Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger.

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