Yukon discontinues Tesla incentives, shuts down Starlink and X user accounts as a response to U.S. customs taxes.
The Government of Yukon has announced a series of measures in response to the latest round of U.S. tariffs, with a particular focus on Elon Musk's companies. In a bold move, the Yukon government has decided to shut down its official accounts on X (formerly Twitter), and is reviewing its Starlink contracts.
The actions by the Yukon government are in protest of what Premier Ranj Pillai called "unjustified tariffs" imposed by the Trump Administration. The government's statement emphasised that these tariffs are a form of economic intimidation and go against the principles of fair trade.
In the wake of this decision, final posts on these accounts will direct residents to other communications channels, including the government's website, Facebook, and Bluesky. Accounts that are not critical to emergency response or business continuity will be cancelled in Yukon's Starlink contracts review.
Elon Musk's companies Tesla, Starlink, and X are the clear targets of Yukon's actions. The government's stance is not only a protest but also a show of solidarity with Canadian auto workers. Until now, Yukon had offered up to $5,000 in incentives for new electric vehicles (EVs) and $750 for chargers. However, the rebates for Tesla vehicles and Level 2 home chargers have been removed from the Good Energy program in Yukon.
The Yukon government is actively exploring alternative low-Earth orbit (LEO) internet providers to mitigate the potential impact of the Starlink contract cancellation. The government's second phase of the response targets Elon Musk specifically and aims to send a strong message against economic coercion.
Interestingly, Yukon now joins British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, all of which also removed Tesla from their rebate programs within the past month. However, it's important to note that there is no clear documentation in the search results of any countries that have removed Tesla from their EV rebate programs explicitly because of U.S. tariffs.
The Yukon government's moves are framed as a firm stance against economic intimidation and a commitment to supporting Canadian industries and workers. The government encourages residents to stay informed through the alternative communication channels and to consider alternative EV options that continue to qualify for rebates under the Good Energy program.
- The Yukon government's actions against Elon Musk's companies, such as Tesla, Starlink, and X, are not just a protest against U.S. tariffs, but also a policy-and-legislation move to show solidarity with Canadian auto workers and support Canadian industries.
- In the politics of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice, the Yukon government's decision to review its Starlink contracts and remove Tesla rebates from its Good Energy program can be seen as a bold move in the face of economic coercion, aiming to send a strong message to both the Trump Administration and Elon Musk.
