WASHINGTON

Canada's Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday announced that the province will ban American companies from securing provincial contracts, in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.

"Starting today and until U.S. tariffs are removed, Ontario is banning American companies from provincial contracts," Ford wrote in a post on X.

Ford said the Ontario government and its agencies spend 30 billion Canadian dollars ($20.4 billion)annually on procurement, in addition to a CAN$200 billion infrastructure plan. He warned that US businesses would now be excluded from new opportunities, holding Trump responsible for the financial repercussions.

"U.S.-based businesses will now lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues. They only have President Trump to blame," he said.

Ontario cancels Starlink contract

As part of its retaliation, Ontario will also terminate its contract with Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

"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 declared.

The premier’s strong response came after Trump’s administration implemented a 25% tariff on key Canadian exports, sparking trade tensions between the two neighbors.

"Canada didn't start this fight with the U.S., but you better believe we're ready to win it," Ford added.