Ontario Premier Doug Ford has once again promised to cancel the province’s $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink, citing the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods as the primary driver behind the decision.
The contract, signed in November last year to provide internet services to remote areas of Ontario, now faces renewed scrutiny as the long-threatened Trump tariffs have officially gone into effect. These tariffs impose a 25 percent duty on most Canadian goods and a 10 percent duty on energy exports. Ford, a former supporter of President Trump, warned that if the tariffs persist, Ontario might be forced to impose its own 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States—a measure that could affect over 1.5 million U.S. residents in Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. “We need to be ready to dig in for a long fight,” Ford said, according to the Toronto Sun.
In addition to the potential cancellation of the Starlink deal, Ford has floated other measures, including surcharges on mineral exports and even the possibility of cutting off electricity to U.S. customers if negotiations fail. The situation underscores the escalating tensions in North American trade relations, with Canadian officials also taking steps on other fronts. Ontario’s primary liquor wholesaler, the LCBO, has confirmed plans to stop purchasing U.S.-made alcohol, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will introduce retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
Trudeau criticized the U.S. action during a news conference, stating, “Today the US launched a trade war against Canada, their closest ally and their closest friend. At the same time, they're talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin—a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense.” Trudeau also suggested that Trump’s tariff measures might be aimed at weakening the Canadian economy, but asserted that “Canada will never be the 51st state.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced a partnership with SpaceX to install Starlink terminals at various airports and is reportedly seeking funding for additional Starlink projects—a move that comes as Ontario debates its contract cancellation.
Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure has been contacted for further details regarding the cancellation of the Starlink deal, and additional updates are expected as the situation evolves.
The CIA has fired several recent hires this week as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce and streamline the federal workforce
In a significant escalation of its "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea.
Planned job cuts announced by U.S. employers surged by 245% in February to 172,017, the highest level seen since the COVID-19 downturn in July 2020 and the steepest February total in 16 years, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
In a significant development, France has stepped forward to offer intelligence assistance to Ukraine after the United States suspended its intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals for hacking US companies and institutions, causing millions in damages. The charges involve a hacker-for-hire network linked to surveillance and transnational repression.
Apple has launched a legal challenge against the British government over a directive requiring the company to create a backdoor for encrypted iCloud accounts, according to reports by the Financial Times.
Europe's newest uncrewed heavy launcher, the Ariane 6, successfully blasted off on Thursday in its first commercially operational launch, carrying a French military observation satellite into orbit.
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will tighten its policies on content that promotes illegal gambling, with changes set to take effect on March 19.
FIFA will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, marking the tournament’s centenary.
Norway’s government has affirmed that it will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy vessels, dismissing recent calls from a private marine fuel supplier to halt deliveries amid tensions linked to U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, will chair the 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting hosted this year by Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat, on 4 March.
Watch AnewZ Live Coverage of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the Oval Office at https://anewz.tv/tv-live
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed his respect for the United States and its people in an interview with Fox News, following a tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
Europe's newest uncrewed heavy launcher, the Ariane 6, successfully blasted off on Thursday in its first commercially operational launch, carrying a French military observation satellite into orbit.
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will tighten its policies on content that promotes illegal gambling, with changes set to take effect on March 19.
FIFA will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, marking the tournament’s centenary.
The CIA has fired several recent hires this week as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce and streamline the federal workforce
Apple has launched a legal challenge against the British government over a directive requiring the company to create a backdoor for encrypted iCloud accounts, according to reports by the Financial Times.
Europe's newest uncrewed heavy launcher, the Ariane 6, successfully blasted off on Thursday in its first commercially operational launch, carrying a French military observation satellite into orbit.
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will tighten its policies on content that promotes illegal gambling, with changes set to take effect on March 19.
FIFA will review a proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, marking the tournament’s centenary.
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