By Wa Lone

TORONTO, March 17 (Reuters) - Toronto is no longer

providing financial incentives for Tesla vehicles

purchased as taxis or ride shares due to trade tensions with the

United States, the city's mayor, Olivia Chow, said on Monday.

The city is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles

purchased as vehicles for hire by giving drivers and owners a

reduction in licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of

2029, to help it lower emissions.

But as of March 1, Tesla vehicles are no longer eligible for

the incentives, Chow said at a news conference.

"The vehicles for hire, like taxis, will have to find a

different kind of car," she told Reuters after the news

conference. "There are other electric cars they could purchase."

The exclusion will continue until trade issues with the U.S.

are resolved, she said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Chow told Reuters that the decision was made to target and

respond to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a top adviser to U.S.

President Donald Trump. Trump has called for Canada's annexation

and imposed tariffs on Canadian products, angering Canadians.

"We have certainly said that if you want to buy a Tesla, go

ahead, but don't count on taxpayer money to subsidize it," she

said.

Chow said the financial impact of the move would not be

large.

"It's more symbolic," she said.