Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended a recent advertisement by the provincial government that has drawn ire from U.S. President Donald Trump. The ad, which features a voiceover of former President Ronald Reagan discussing free trade, aims to convey an anti-tariff message to American audiences. Ford stated that the campaign has been effective, generating over a billion impressions since its launch on October 14.

"We generated a conversation that wasn't happening in the U.S.," Ford said during a press conference at Queen's Park in Toronto. He noted that the ad has prompted discussions across various media outlets in the U.S. Ford emphasized that his intention was not to provoke Trump but to inform Americans about the negative impacts of tariffs on workers and businesses.

The one-minute commercial has sparked significant controversy, leading Trump to cancel all trade negotiations with Canada. In response to the ad, Trump labeled it as fraudulent and claimed it was misleading. Ford remarked, "You know why President Trump is so upset right now? Because it was effective. It was working, it woke up the whole country."

Following Trump's decision to halt trade talks, Ford announced that he would pause the ad campaign to facilitate the resumption of negotiations. He confirmed that he had consulted with Prime Minister Mark Carney before airing the ad, stating, "He knew I was running it. I said it very clearly to everyone. He saw the ad before I put it out, so did his chief of staff."

The Ontario government allocated $75 million for the campaign, which aired on major American networks, including during high-profile sporting events. Ford later clarified that the actual spending was less than initially reported, as the campaign was intended to run through February but has now been put on hold.

Despite the backlash, Ford described the ad as "the most successful ad in the history of North America." He reiterated the message of the campaign, stating, "The message is very clear: protectionism does not work, and that’s the message we have for the American people."

The ad's release coincided with ongoing challenges in Ontario's auto sector, which has been adversely affected by tariffs. Ford highlighted the importance of protecting jobs in the province, particularly in the auto industry, which has seen significant job losses recently. He expressed concern that the trade negotiations could further jeopardize Ontario's economic interests.

As Ford continues to defend the ad, he is also preparing to appear on American television networks to further discuss the campaign and its implications for trade relations between Canada and the United States.