Officials in Canada Terminate Starlink Agreement, Suggest Heavy Taxes on Tesla Vehicles
In a series of recent events, the relationship between Elon Musk and Canada, particularly Ontario, has taken a turn for the worse. This deterioration can be attributed to geopolitical trade tensions and Musk's political positions, leading to contract cancellations and public backlash.
A petition signed by over 230,000 Canadians has been initiated to revoke Musk's Canadian citizenship, accusing him of "attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty." One of the targeted American products is related to Musk's satellite company, Starlink.
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, cancelled a major contract worth approximately CAD 68–100 million with Starlink for providing high-speed internet to remote regions. This cancellation is a direct retaliation against looming U.S. tariffs affecting Canadian steel and aluminum exports, reflecting Ontario's resistance to U.S. trade policies rather than specifically Musk's personal politics.
The Ontario government is seeking domestic alternatives to Starlink for internet service provision. Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, announced the termination of the 100 million Canadian dollar contract with Starlink and stated that American companies would be forbidden from bidding on the $30 billion worth of procurement contracts annually paid out by the province's government.
Musk's public remarks have also stirred controversy. He publicly mocked Canadian political leadership by suggesting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau no longer governs Canada, a statement that has led to significant public disapproval. This unrest escalated to over 240,000 Canadians signing a petition to revoke Musk's Canadian citizenship and passport.
Regarding the European Union, no recent specific developments about Musk’s business dealings or political affiliations affecting relations with the EU were found. Thus, his status there appears stable or not publicly contentious at this time.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has implemented tariffs on consumer goods from Mexico and Canada. These tariffs are claimed by Trump to be necessary to stem the tide of illegal immigrants flowing into the United States. In response, Mexico and Canada have imposed retaliatory tariffs and economic punishments on American products.
Tesla, another of Musk's companies, is facing challenges in Europe and Australia. Sales are plummeting across European nations and are down 70% in Australia. Musk is also hated by many Europeans due to his political meddling in the EU. Chrystia Freeland, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, recently announced a proposal for a 100% tariff on all Tesla cars.
In the United States, Tesla dealerships have been vandalized, shot up, and set on fire, and a growing protest movement is targeting the company's bottom line.
These events highlight the complex and contentious relationship between Elon Musk, his companies, and various governments, particularly Canada and the European Union. As these situations continue to unfold, it will be interesting to see how they evolve and what impact they may have on Musk's businesses and personal reputation.
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ontario-starlink-cancellation-1.5853068 [2] https://www.change.org/p/revoke-elon-musks-canadian-citizenship [3] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ontario-government-to-cancel-starlink-contract-worth-up-to-100-million/ [4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/elon-musk-petition-canadian-citizenship-1.5853850 [5] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ontario-starlink-cancellation-1.5853068
- In response to the cancelled Starlink contract, Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, announced the termination of the contract and stated that American companies would be forbidden from bidding on future technology-related procurement contracts, such as those related to tech, technology, and gizmodo.
- As the petition against Elon Musk gains traction, with over 240,000 signatures demanding the revocation of his Canadian citizenship, Musk finds himself under fire not just for his political positions, but also for his involvement in the tech sector, particularly his satellite company, Starlink.
- The controversy surrounding Elon Musk's political remarks has extended beyond just Canada, with Chrystia Freeland, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, recently announcing a proposal for a 100% tariff on all Tesla cars, affecting the sports of luxury electric vehicles in the tech-driven future.
