Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the leader of the most populous province in Canada, said American-owned companies would be barred from entering provincial contracts with the province, in response to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs against Canada.
Ford additionally said he is doing away with a government contract between the province and Elon Musk’s Starlink internet services in response.
“Starting today and until U.S. tariffs are removed, Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts,” Ford posted. “U.S.-based businesses will now lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues. They only have President Trump to blame.”
“We’re going one step further. We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink. Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy,” Ford continued, adding that “Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we’re ready to win it.”
Starting today and until U.S. tariffs are removed, Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts.
Every year, the Ontario government and its agencies spend $30 billion on procurement, alongside our $200 billion plan to build Ontario. U.S.-based businesses will…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 3, 2025
Ontario entered into a contract worth $100-million Canadian, $68 million USD, with Starlink in November to deliver high-speed internet to remote residents in rural and northern Ontario.
In response to Trump’s tariffs, Canada has proposed its own retaliatory tariffs. So far, they have ordered 25% tariffs on U.S. imports starting Tuesday, which will include beverages, cosmetics, and paper products worth 30 billion Canadian dollars or $20 billion USD, according to the Associated Press.
“I wish we weren’t here. I wish Ontario and Canada were working together with our American friends and allies to make our two countries the richest, most successful, safest, most secure on the planet,” Ford posted over the weekend. “Instead, President Trump has chosen to move forward with tariffs that will only hurt America and make Americans poorer. Canada now has no choice but to hit back and hit back hard.”
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Canadian officials have been promoting Canadian products in response to the tariffs, and some grocery stores have created new labels highlighting “Made in Canada” products.
“Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on social media. “Check the labels. Let’s do our part. Wherever we can, choose Canada.”
This article was originally published at www.washingtonexaminer.com
