Update, February 3, 5:30PM ET:

Following the news that Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump have agreed to pause their tariff standoff for thirty days, Ontario Premier Ford has announced that he is similarly pausing the province’s cancellation of its Starlink contract.

Ford’s Announcement

Ford added that the US and Canada "need to remain united and focused on the real trade war we’re fighting, with China."

The original story, which was headlined "Ontario cancels $100 million Starlink contract as a response to those tariffs," follows unedited.

Doug Ford’s Background

Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario and a former staunch supporter of President Trump, has announced that the Canadian territory will be "ripping up" a $100 million contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The contract was signed in November of last year and tasked Starlink with providing internet service to remote parts of the province.

Background on the Trade War

This comes after Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on nearly all Canadian imported goods. This spurred Canada to announce its own 25 percent tariff on American imported goods. It looks like we are heading into a trade war for, uh, reasons? Trump says it’s about fentanyl, even though less than one percent of the drug arrives in this country via Canadian routes. This is data that has been confirmed by both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ford’s Decision

Ford has announced that Ontario will pause its retaliatory measures against the US. If President Trump proceeds with tariffs, he won’t hesitate to remove American products off LCBO shelves or ban American companies from provincial procurement.

Impact on Starlink Contract

Ford added that the US and Canada "need to remain united and focused on the real trade war we’re fighting, with China." The contract with Starlink will remain null and void until "US tariffs are removed." Additionally, Ontario is banning all American companies from provincial contracts, which will cause domestic businesses to "lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues."

Impact on Liquor Control Board of Ontario

Ford also commanded the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to remove American-made spirits from store shelves. He joins several other premiers across the country in this effort. "Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore," he said in a statement.

Musk’s Response

Musk responded to Ford’s decision by posting “oh well” on X.

Background on Starlink and DOGE

In the eyes of Ford, this is enough to link Musk to Trump’s tariffs. He said that Ontario “won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy" and that Musk wants to “take food off the table” of hard-working Canadians. The premier indicated that the contract will remain null and void until “US tariffs are removed.” Additionally, Ontario is banning all American companies from provincial contracts, which will cause domestic businesses to “lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues.”

Impact on Federal Payment System

Ford also commanded the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to remove American-made spirits from store shelves. He joins several other premiers across the country in this effort. "Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore," he said in a statement.

Background on Musk and DOGE

In the eyes of Ford, this is enough to link Musk to Trump’s tariffs. He said that Ontario “won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy" and that Musk wants to “take food off the table” of hard-working Canadians. The premier indicated that the contract will remain null and void until “US tariffs are removed.” Additionally, Ontario is banning all American companies from provincial contracts, which will cause domestic businesses to “lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues.”

Impact on US Treasury

Ford also commanded the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to remove American-made spirits from store shelves. He joins several other premiers across the country in this effort. "Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore," he said in a statement.

Background on Musk and DOGE

In the eyes of Ford, this is enough to link Musk to Trump’s tariffs. He said that Ontario “won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy" and that Musk wants to “take food off the table” of hard-working Canadians. The premier indicated that the contract will remain null and void until “US tariffs are removed.” Additionally, Ontario is banning all American companies from provincial contracts, which will cause domestic businesses to “lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues.”

Impact on US Treasury

Ford also commanded the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to remove American-made spirits from store shelves. He joins several other premiers across the country in this effort. "Every year, LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of American wine, beer, spirits and seltzers. Not anymore," he said in a statement.

Background on Musk and DOGE

In the eyes of Ford, this is enough to link Musk to Trump’s tariffs. He said that Ontario “won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy" and that Musk wants to “take food off the table” of hard-working Canadians. The premier indicated that the contract will remain null and void until “US tariffs are removed.” Additionally, Ontario is banning all American companies from provincial contracts, which will cause domestic businesses to “lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues.”