Ontario Premier Stands Firm Against Trump's Tariff Threats

Doug Ford, the leader of Ontario, has refused to back down in a recent dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump. In a bold move, Ford shared a video of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan speaking out against tariffs. This came after Trump announced he was ending trade talks with Canada due to a TV ad that he claimed misrepresented Reagan's views.

Strengthening Bonds, Defying Tariffs

Ford emphasized the strong bond between Canada and the U.S., sharing a link to a Reagan speech where the former president spoke against tariffs. A spokesperson for Ford revealed that the ad would air during Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Escalating Trade Tensions

Trump had earlier accused Canada of using a fake ad featuring Reagan, suggesting that Canada was trying to influence a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on his tariff policies. This has further strained trade relations between the two nations.

Canada’s Response to Tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated his intention to increase exports to countries outside the U.S. due to Trump's tariffs. He also expressed willingness to negotiate reduced tariffs in certain sectors, acknowledging that U.S. trade policy has evolved significantly since the 1980s.

U.S. Criticism and Ontario’s Ad Campaign

Trump’s administration claimed that talks with Canada have been unproductive, criticizing an Ontario ad campaign that used Reagan’s 1987 radio address on trade. The Ontario government plans to spend $75 million Canadian on these ads.

Ford’s Hope and Mixed Reactions

Ford expressed hope that the ads would convince Americans of the benefits of free trade, believing Reagan’s views would resonate with Republicans. However, other Canadian leaders have mixed reactions—some support Ford, while others believe the ads have backfired.