Ontario Premier Doug Ford is standing firm in defense of a controversial government ad campaign that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend trade talks with Canada and threaten new tariffs.
Speaking after a week of escalating tensions, Ford called the commercial “the best ad that ever ran,” insisting he would “never apologize” for defending Ontario’s workers and industries. The ad, which aired across major U.S. television markets, featured archival footage of former president Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs ignite destructive trade wars and ultimately harm both sides.
Trump responded by halting ongoing trade negotiations with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government and announcing a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian goods as retaliation. The move abruptly froze months of progress in talks aimed at resolving disputes over steel, aluminum, and energy exports.
Ford dismissed the backlash, arguing that Ontario has long been vulnerable to American trade pressure and that his government’s message was necessary to “stand up for Ontario jobs” against what he described as U.S. attempts to lure manufacturing south.
“I’ve been hearing for months about an imminent deal,” Ford said, “but there’s been no mention of any real help for Ontario’s auto sector. Someone had to speak up.”
Prime Minister Carney expressed disappointment at Trump’s decision, noting that both sides were nearing a framework for renewed cooperation before the U.S. president abruptly walked away.
Despite the setback, Ford doubled down on his position, saying his government would “never stay silent when Ontario’s workers and industries are under attack.”
The escalating trade tensions have injected new uncertainty into Canada–U.S. economic relations, with economists warning that retaliatory tariffs could strain key export sectors. But Ford’s message was clear — defending Ontario’s economy, he said, is worth the political and diplomatic heat.