Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that the province will pause its anti-tariff advertising campaign in the United States to help restart stalled Canada-U.S. trade negotiations.
Ford said he made the decision after speaking with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is attending a series of summits in Asia where he is expected to cross paths with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, the ads will continue airing through the weekend to coincide with the first two World Series games, ensuring maximum exposure.
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“Our goal was to spark a conversation about the economic impact of tariffs on American workers and businesses,” Ford said in a statement. “We’ve succeeded in bringing attention to the issue at the highest levels.”
The decision follows Trump’s angry reaction to the ads, which featured former president Ronald Reagan warning about the dangers of tariffs. Trump responded by halting trade discussions, calling the ad “crooked” and “possibly AI-generated” after it aired during Game 1 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers.
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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith praised Ford’s decision to suspend the campaign, urging continued diplomacy to end the trade standoff. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, however, argued that Trump’s outrage showed the ads were effective and urged Ford not to relent.
Speaking from Ottawa before his departure, Carney acknowledged that the U.S. trade stance has “fundamentally changed,” but said Canadian officials remain ready to continue constructive talks focused on sectors like steel, aluminum, and energy.
At the White House, Trump’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the president’s frustration with Canada has “built up over time,” blaming a perceived lack of flexibility from Canadian negotiators.
Meanwhile, federal Conservatives seized on the breakdown of talks to attack Carney’s handling of the trade file. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre accused the prime minister of failing to deliver on his campaign promise to resolve the trade dispute, saying his “weak diplomacy” forced premiers to act independently.
Trump also alleged that Canada’s ad campaign was designed to sway an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision on his global tariff policy.
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