In a significant development concerning trade relations, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that he will be pulling the controversial anti-tariff advertisement that led to U.S. President Donald Trump ending trade talks with Canada. Following discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ford decided to pause the advertising campaign effective Monday, a move aimed at resuming critical trade negotiations between the two nations.
President Trump had publicly declared his decision to cease “all trade negotiations” with Canada, attributing this decision to a television advertisement sponsored by Ontario that employed words from former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs. In a statement, Ford expressed that their campaign had successfully reached U.S. audiences at high levels, stating, “We’ve achieved our goal.” He emphasized that the initial intention was to foster a conversation regarding the economic landscape Americans desire and the implications of tariffs on workers and businesses.
Despite the announcement to halt the campaign, Ford confirmed that the commercials would continue airing throughout the weekend, including during the highly anticipated World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I’ve directed my team to keep putting our message in front of Americans over the weekend,” Ford stated, underscoring the importance of visibility during significant sporting events.
On Thursday, Trump criticized the advertisement, asserting that the Ronald Reagan Foundation had announced Canada was fraudulently using the ad, which he labeled as “FAKE.” The U.S. President reiterated his disapproval on Friday, accusing Canada of attempting to sway an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding his global tariff regime. Trump’s abrupt termination of negotiations has escalated trade tensions between the neighboring countries.
In light of the ongoing trade challenges, Prime Minister Carney mentioned this week that he aims to double Canada’s exports to countries outside the United States, recognizing the threats posed by Trump’s tariff policies. “We can’t control the trade policy of the United States,” Carney remarked. “We have to focus on what we can control and realize what we can’t control.” His comments reflect the Canadian government’s readiness to continue discussions aimed at mitigating tariffs in certain sectors.
Ford, a populist conservative, has received backing from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and British Columbia Premier David Eby. Kinew remarked, “It’s clear that these ads are working... So to my good friend Doug Ford, keep the ads on TV. They’re effective, and this country is behind you.” Meanwhile, Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, suggested that the advertisement may have backfired significantly.
Trump's ongoing threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty have drawn criticism from various quarters. Jason Kenney, a former Conservative cabinet minister, labeled Trump’s posts as “just embarrassing.” He defended the Ontario advertisement, asserting that it accurately represented Reagan’s anti-tariff stance. Kenney further criticized the leadership of the Reagan Foundation for being easily swayed by the White House, portraying it as a sign of the corrosive influence Trump has had on the American conservative movement.
As trade relations continue to unfold amid rising tensions, the decision by Premier Ford to pause the controversial advertisement may pave the way for renewed dialogue between Canada and the United States, although the path forward remains complex and fraught with challenges.
