Canada is prepared to resume discussions with America on trade after Ontario’s government said it would halt an ad that enraged President Donald Trump to the point where he halted all talks between the nations. Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Friday he would cancel the $75 million advertising campaign beginning Monday following a conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney regarding the rising issue.
The entire fiasco began because Ontario had run an ad featuring outdated tapes of then-President Ronald Reagan discussing tariffs in 1987. Reagan had stated during the radio address that excessive tariffs always prompt other nations to retaliate and cause ugly trade wars. Trump spotted the ad and became angry, labeling it as false on his Truth Social site. He then proclaimed he was suspending all trade negotiations with Canada with immediate effect.
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The hotly debated ad will continue to air over the weekend during Toronto Blue Jays-Los Angeles Dodgers World Series baseball games. Ontario received what it desired by having senior American government officials discussing tariffs, Ford stated. He stated the province only wanted to initiate a discussion about what Americans want economically and how tariffs negatively impact workers and businesses on both sides of the border.
Prime Minister Carney addressed journalists prior to leaving to Malaysia for negotiations. He stated Canada stands by to resume trade talks anytime America is ready to sit again. Carney stated Canadian representatives had been making great strides in negotiations with their American colleagues, particularly on issues such as steel, aluminum and energy prior to Trump pulling the plug.
Reagan Foundation Not Happy Either
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation did not like the ad either. They claimed Ontario used selectively edited pieces of audio and video of Reagan and were considering what legal action they might pursue. Trump continued to lash out at Canada on Friday, informing reporters that the country “got caught cheating on a commercial” and referred to it as dirty play. Although Ontario agreed to withdraw the ad, Trump still appeared furious and intimated he could play dirtier than Canada can.
Ontario had been broadcasting the ad on large American television networks in states that are hosting Republicans. The entire campaign was intended to demonstrate how tariffs are damaging Canadian companies and workers.
News At Glance
- Ontario withdrawing $75 million anti-tariff ad after Trump ended trade negotiations with Canada
- Ad featured Ronald Reagan 1987 tapes lambasting tariffs which left Trump furious
- Prime Minister Carney says Canada willing to resume trade talks when America is better ready
- Ad continues to air over weekend during World Series then ceases Monday
- Canadian officials indicate they were making solid strides on steel aluminum and energy before negotiations were halted
FAQs
Q: Why did Trump suspend trade negotiations with Canada?
Trump became upset about an Ontario advertisement using Ronald Reagan recordings denouncing tariffs and called it fake on social media.
Q: When will Ontario cease airing the advertisement?
The ad ceases Monday but will continue airing over the weekend during World Series baseball games.
Q: How much did Ontario advertise this campaign for?
Ontario invested $75 million in the advertising campaign airing on American television networks.
Q: What was the advertisement for?
It utilized 1987 recordings of Ronald Reagan stating that high tariffs create trade wars and damage economies.
Q: Will Canada and the US resume trade talks?
Prime Minister Carney tells us that Canada is prepared to get back to the negotiating table whenever American officials are willing to come and negotiate.
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