Government of Yukon announces Phase 2 response to U.S. tariffs

Press Release

Apr 03, 2025

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Tariffs imposed by the U.S. Administration continue to violate our trade agreements, make life more expensive for Americans and threaten the generations-long partnership between our two countries.

“This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canadian Premiers to discuss the impacts that the Trump Administration’s unjustified tariffs targeting the auto sector that entered into effect today. These tariffs will directly impact Canadian auto workers and the lack of clarity around what this means for global trade will continue to destabilize global markets and leave Canadians – and Yukoners – uneasy about their futures.

“Effective today, in response to the latest round of tariffs, the Government of Yukon will:

end rebates for all Tesla products offered through the Good Energy program;
begin reviewing Yukon government Starlink accounts and cancel accounts that are not required for business continuity or emergency response; and
shift Yukon government digital communications away from X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Yukoners may notice the following changes in the days and weeks to come:

Effective immediately, purchases of new and used Tesla vehicles and Tesla Level 2 chargers will no longer be eligible for rebates under the Good Energy Program. Incentives will continue to be provided to Yukoners purchasing zero-emission vehicles from other major vehicle manufacturers.
As the Government of Yukon reviews its Starlink contracts and evaluates other low earth orbit satellite service providers, Yukoners may see continued use of Starlink by the Yukon government in situations necessary for emergency response or business continuity.
Activity on Yukon government X accounts will end. The final posts on these accounts will indicate where Yukoners can go to access the same information. The Yukon government’s digital communications efforts will primarily occur through Yukon.ca, Facebook, Bluesky and local advertisers.

“We are continuing to explore additional responses that can come into force if the Trump Administration continues threaten Canada’s economy or sovereignty.

“I want to encourage Yukoners who have feedback about our Phase 1 or Phase 2 responses – or ideas that can shape future responses – to email tariff-response@yukon.ca. Your input will help shape our understanding of the challenges businesses and workers are experiencing.

“Along with these new measures, our government continues to implement our Phase 1 response to U.S. tariffs:

We have ended the sale of U.S. liquor products at government-run liquor stores and ended all future purchases by the Yukon government as the territory’s wholesale liquor distributor.
We recently added several local suppliers and Yukon-based agriculture producers to the Government of Yukon’s new Online Marketplace, which makes it easier for the Yukon government to purchase directly from local businesses.
We are continuing to work, through the Yukon First Nation Procurement Program, to prioritize Yukon First Nations businesses in our procurement processes.
We are reviewing our procurement rules to limit U.S. companies from accessing contracts through our government procurement processes.
We have worked with – and will continue to support – local chambers of commerce to promote ‘buy local’ initiatives and advertise local businesses.
Work continues to develop a $1 million support program for local businesses, complementary to federal supports and tailored to meet businesses’ needs. Funding for this initiative is subject to legislative approval of Budget 2025–26. We are also working with provincial and territorial partners and the federal government to reduce trade barriers within Canada.

“I want to thank the Prime Minister for his leadership on this file. The Yukon will continue to work with federal, provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as Yukon First Nations’ governments and local municipalities to ensure we are doing everything we can to stand up to the Trump Administration while minimizing the impacts on Yukon businesses, Yukon workers and Yukon families.

“I want to encourage all Yukoners to support local businesses, buy Canadian-made goods and instead of travelling to the U.S. this summer, consider exploring the incredible opportunities that the Yukon and Canada have to offer.”

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

ILR4