Premier Ranj Pillai announces Yukon's phase two response to latest round of U.S. tariffs. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The Yukon Government has targetted companies affiliated with tech-billionaire Elon Musk in response to the latest round of U.S. tariffs.
Rebates will no longer be provided for Tesla vehicles under the Good Energy program, non-essential government contracts with Starlink will be cancelled and the use of social media platform X for government communications have stopped.
Although Canada was spared the “reciprocal” tariffs announced yesterday 25 percent auto tariffs took effect on Thursday.
“These tariffs have real impacts for people here in the Yukon,” said Pillai. “They will make life more expensive for Americans and Canadians. They will make it more difficult for companies to do business on both sides of the border.”
Yukon’s phase one response included pulling U.S.-made alcohol from government liquor stores, prioritizing local companies in contract procurement and launching a $1 million business assistance program to help businesses adapt to a changing economy.
The Premier emphasized support for the federal Team Canada approach and called on Yukoners to buy local and vacation closer to home this summer.
“I want to again ask Yukoners for their support for local businesses, and their support in prioritizing Canadian-made goods over American imports,” said Pillai. “We’ve witnessed an incredible wave of patriotism across Canada, and here in the Yukon, that spirit is stronger than ever.”
Pillai suggested that a third round of countermeasures will be considered if the U.S. trade war with Canada escalates.
