Doug Ford defends anti-tariff ad after Trump halts trade talks

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has doubled down on his decision to air a provocative anti-tariff television advertisement in the United States — a move that has drawn the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump and led to the suspension of trade talks between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ford said the ad, which featured clips of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs “hurt every American,” had “achieved its purpose.”

“We’ve achieved our goal. The ad got one billion views and people are talking about tariffs — not just in the U.S., but from the U.K. to India,” Ford said, calling it “the most successful advert in North American history.”

Trump Suspends Trade Talks, Announces New Tariffs

President Trump reacted furiously over the weekend, announcing a new 10% hike on Canadian tariffs “over and above” existing levies.

The president made the announcement on Truth Social, though he did not specify whether the additional duties would target all imports or specific sectors.

“I don’t know when it’s going to kick in, and we’ll see, but I don’t really want to discuss it,” Trump told reporters Monday when pressed for details.

The U.S. currently imposes a 35% tariff on most Canadian goods, though exemptions exist under a free trade agreement. Some sectors already face higher duties — including 50% on steel and aluminium and 25% on automobiles.

Trade Talks Collapse After Ad Release

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that the two countries had been close to finalizing a new trade framework before the controversy erupted.

“Then there were the ads, and everything changed,” Carney said, adding that both sides had been exchanging term sheets before the talks broke down.

Trump also told reporters he had “no plans” to meet with Carney at the ongoing ASEAN summit in Asia, saying they “won’t be meeting for a long time.”

Ford Says Carney Was Aware of the Ad

Ford maintained that the federal government had prior knowledge of the campaign, insisting that both the prime minister and his chief of staff had seen the spot before its release.

The Ontario government-funded ad uses audio from Reagan’s 1987 radio address on foreign trade, arguing that tariffs harm American workers. Trump labeled the ad “fraudulent,” accusing Canada of trying to meddle in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case that will determine the legality of the president’s tariffs.

Carney has refrained from directly criticizing Ford but emphasized that managing trade negotiations with the U.S. is “a federal responsibility.”

Support from Other Canadian Leaders

Despite the backlash, Ford has found allies among provincial leaders.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he was “glad our premier had the courage to call out the U.S. president on his inconsistencies.”

British Columbia Premier David Eby also said his government is preparing its own anti-tariff ads next month to protest U.S. duties on Canadian lumber.

In the Ontario legislature, Ford declared he would not “take a back seat to President Trump,” vowing to defend Canadian interests “with pride and determination.”

“President Trump wants to attack our country, but I’ll never stay silent. Canada deserves respect,” Ford said.