Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a major move against U.S. tariffs, banning American companies from bidding on provincial contracts until the trade measures are lifted in Canada.
The decision means U.S. businesses will lose access to tens of billions in government spending, as Ontario and its agencies spend $30 billion annually on procurement, plus a $200 billion infrastructure plan.
Ford also confirmed Ontario is cutting ties with Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk. The province previously signed a $100 million CAD deal for Starlink for rural areas. “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy,” he said.
Musk’s response to the news? A brief “oh well” on X, suggesting it’s not a big deal. You have to feel bad for the rural communities that won’t get connected now as part of this deal.
Now, the only alternative to Starlink in Canada? That’s Telecast’s Lightspeed low-Earth orbit satellite internet project, funded and backed by the Canadian government and Quebec, by the tune of billions of Canadian dollars. Ironically, Lightspeed is years away from even going into operation and needs SpaceX to launch its satellites. You can bet Musk will remember this snub.
Ford blamed former U.S. President Donald Trump for the trade tensions, saying, “Canada didn’t start this fight, but we’re ready to win it.”
Canada has also slapped a 25% tariff on cars, including electric cars from the U.S. Later today, President Trump will be speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Earlier today, Mexico came to a deal and will strengthen its border with 10,000 troops and pause the tariffs for a month. Canada is now backed into a corner with Mexico coming to a deal with the U.S.
