Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a pause on the province's anti-tariff advertisement campaign broadcasted in the US, which has drawn ire from President Donald Trump and resulted in the halt of crucial trade talks between the two nations.
Ford, a prominent critic of US tariffs on Canadian goods, stated he made this decision after discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney. He confirmed that the ad would still air over the weekend but would be put on hold starting Monday to facilitate the resumption of trade discussions.
Trump had reacted strongly against the advertisement, labeling it as fake and egregious on social media, which prompted him to declare that trade talks were hereby terminated. The ad prominently featured quotes from former US President Ronald Reagan, highlighting the adverse effects of tariffs.
Initially designed to spark dialogue regarding tariff policies and their effects on the economy, the advert lifted excerpts from a 1987 address by Reagan and infuriated Trump further when the Ronald Reagan Foundation accused the Ontario government of misrepresenting his remarks without permission.
Trump's termination of the talks was seen as predictable, given his past reactions to similar situations. However, experts contend that while Ford's outspokenness may resonate within Canada, it has complicated the already fraught negotiations over trade with the US.
Despite the tensions, Carney reiterated Canada's readiness to resume talks on favorable terms, emphasizing the significance of maintaining constructive diplomatic and trade relations with the US.
Amidst these developments, Ford has faced criticism and support regarding his combative trade strategy, reflecting on whether a more cooperative approach might yield better results for Canadians.
