Ontario's Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday that he is “ripping up” the province's $100 million contract with Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service. This decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs that could heavily impact Canada. The tariffs, which include a 25% tax on goods from Canada, took effect recently and were met with fierce response from Canadian officials.

Ford emphasized that Ontario will also ban American companies from provincial contracts until the tariffs are lifted, stating, “Ontario won't do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.” This action could lead to significant losses for U.S.-based businesses, estimated to be in the range of “tens of billions of dollars,” according to the premier's statements on CBS News.

The contract with Starlink was created to provide high-speed internet to 15,000 underserved homes and businesses in rural areas of Ontario, a project initiated last November. However, Ford's announcement underscores a broader retaliatory strategy as more provinces, including British Columbia, contemplate similar measures, such as removing American liquor brands from government stores and reassessing contracts with U.S. firms.

In a pointed remark, Ford attributed the blame for these consequences to President Trump, suggesting that Musk, a close ally of Trump, should take notice. “They only have President Trump to blame,” Ford noted while discussing the necessary actions to safeguard Ontario’s economic interests. He expressed a commitment to prioritize local products, saying, “We need to make sure we are using Ontario steel, Canadian products, Canadian wood, anything” regardless of the project.

This evolving scenario has been echoed across Canadian leadership, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also prepares to implement retaliatory tariffs. Trudeau has announced plans to levy tariffs on American goods worth approximately C$30 billion, with further measures to follow within weeks, indicating a firm stance in defense of Canadian interests against U.S. trade policies.

As Ford pushes forward with his initiatives, he labeled the tariffs a tax on American citizens, reflecting a sentiment shared by many Canadian leaders who perceive current U.S. policies as unfair and antagonistic. “Canada didn’t start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we're ready to win it,” Ford concluded, reinforcing the notion that Ontario is poised for a robust response to U.S. economic pressures.

For further details, refer to the original articles from BBC, The Hill, and The Guardian.