Ontario Premier Doug Ford is standing firm on his government's controversial anti-tariff advertisement, which he claims sparked significant dialogue about trade with the United States. The ad, which features excerpts from a 1987 radio address by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, argues against tariffs and highlights their potential economic damage. Ford stated he will not apologize for the ad, asserting it was necessary to protect jobs in Ontario.

"We have achieved our goal, to make sure that conversation starts with the American people, and with their elected officials, and my goodness, it’s started all right," Ford told reporters at the provincial legislature in Toronto. He referred to the ad as "the best ad that ever ran" and emphasized that he will not "roll over" for a trade deal.

The advertisement aired on major U.S. networks and was intended to inform American viewers about the implications of tariffs. However, it drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who cited the ad as a reason to terminate high-stakes trade negotiations with Canada. Trump described the ad as "fake" and "fraudulent" after the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute lodged a complaint against it.

Initially, Trump reacted mildly, suggesting he would also run the ad if he were in charge of Canada. However, two days later, he announced a 10 percent tariff increase on Canadian goods, claiming the ad was an attempt to influence U.S. Supreme Court deliberations regarding his tariffs. Ford responded by stating that the ad was merely an "excuse" for Trump to end the talks.

After discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ford agreed to pause the ad, but only after it had aired during the World Series. Ford noted that the ad had garnered significant attention, claiming it reached hundreds of millions of viewers, largely due to Trump's reaction.

Ford criticized the Trump administration for neglecting Ontario's automotive sector in trade discussions. He expressed concern that car manufacturers have delayed investments in the province due to the tariffs. Ford also mentioned that the government would spend significantly less than the initially budgeted $75 million for the ad campaign, which was set to run until early 2026.

In response to the Reagan Foundation's threat of legal action, Ford dismissed their claims, stating that Ontario had consulted a U.S. law firm to vet the advertisement. He added, "They can do whatever they want. They’re not going to win."

As tensions continue, Ford remains resolute in his stance, emphasizing the importance of fair trade for Ontario's economy and its workers.