Ontario Premier Doug Ford Takes Stand Against U.S. Tariffs, Cuts Ties with Starlink
In a bold move against U.S. tariffs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that American companies will be banned from bidding on provincial contracts until the trade measures are lifted in Canada. This decision will result in U.S. businesses losing access to tens of billions in government spending, as Ontario and its agencies allocate $30 billion annually towards procurement, in addition to a $200 billion infrastructure plan.
One significant repercussion of this decision is Ontario cutting ties with Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk. The province had previously signed a $100 million CAD deal with Starlink to provide internet connectivity to rural areas. In response to this development, Ford stated, “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.”
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and owner of Starlink, responded to the news with a brief “oh well” on social media platform X, implying that the decision was not a major concern for him. However, the impact of this decision will be felt by the rural communities that were set to benefit from the Starlink deal.
With Starlink no longer an option in Canada, the only alternative for satellite internet services is Telecast’s Lightspeed low-Earth orbit project. This initiative, funded and supported by the Canadian government and Quebec, is still in the development stage and relies on SpaceX for satellite launches. It is evident that Musk may not easily forget this snub from Ontario.
Ford attributed the trade tensions to former U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Canada did not initiate the conflict but is prepared to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on cars, including electric vehicles, imported from the U.S. As negotiations continue between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Trump, Mexico has reached a temporary agreement with the U.S., further complicating Canada’s position.
In the midst of escalating trade disputes, Ontario’s decisive actions against U.S. tariffs and Starlink underscore the province’s commitment to protecting its economy and interests. The fallout from these decisions may have long-lasting effects on Canada’s trade relationships and strategic partnerships in the future.