OTTAWA — Following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he had "terminated" trade negotiations with Canada, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated he would withdraw a controversial advertisement from U.S. airwaves. The ad, which criticizes U.S. tariffs, is set to air during two games of the World Series this weekend before being pulled.

In a social media post, Ford explained that he made the decision after consulting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. "Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses," Ford wrote. He added that the campaign had successfully reached high-level U.S. audiences. The ads will run during the first two games of the World Series before ceasing on Monday.

The Blue Jays are competing in the World Series for the first time in over 30 years. Trump's criticism of the Ontario ads came late Thursday. He claimed the ads misused a 1987 speech by former President Ronald Reagan, stating, "The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs."

Trump's post continued, "They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED."

On Friday, Prime Minister Carney expressed Canada's willingness to resume trade discussions with the Trump administration but did not comment on whether Ontario should stop airing the ads. "A lot of progress has been made, and we stand ready to pick up on that progress and build on that progress when the Americans are ready to have those discussions because it will be for the benefit of workers in the United States, workers in Canada and families in both of our countries," he said.

In support of Ontario's advertising campaign, Manitoba Premier released a video backing the ads, while British Columbia Premier David Eby announced plans for his own commercials addressing U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her approval of Ontario's decision to suspend the ad campaign, urging the federal government to continue negotiations to resolve tariff issues.

Ontario's ad campaign, which cost $75,000, began two weeks ago and targeted Republican audiences in the U.S. The ads also aired during the Blue Jays' American League Championship Series. A senior Ontario government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that both one-minute and 30-second versions of the ad would run during the first game of the World Series.

The ads feature audio from Reagan's 1987 radio address, where he warned, "High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens. Markets shrink and collapse. Businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs."

In response to the controversy, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute directed users to listen to the full, unedited remarks of Reagan, noting that the Ontario ads omitted key parts of the speech. The foundation stated it was "reviewing its legal options," asserting that the ad misrepresented Reagan's address and the government of Ontario's use of it.