Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Toronto: Ontario's Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday the pause of the contentious Ontario ad, which targets US tariffs, effective Monday. This decision follows the abrupt end of trade discussions between US President Donald Trump and Canada, who cited the Ontario ad as a significant point of contention.
The advertisement, which featured footage of former President Ronald Reagan condemning tariffs, was designed to shed light on the repercussions of US trade policies for American workers and businesses. Ford remarked that the Ontario ad successfully reached its intended audience in the US, asserting, “Our goal was always to spark a discussion about the economy that Americans desire and how tariffs impact both labor and commerce.”
Despite this pause, the Ontario ad is set to continue airing over the weekend, including during the initial games of the World Series. Ford stated, “We want to ensure our pro-trade message is prominent in front of Americans this weekend.”
Trump publicly condemned the ad, labeling it as “fraudulent” and accusing Canada of deceiving the American public. The White House further criticized the ad, suggesting it reflected a preference for political drama rather than genuine negotiations on the part of Canadian officials.
Totaling around C$75 million, the Ontario ad campaign has heightened trade tensions between Canada and the US, impacting key sectors such as aluminum, steel, automobiles, and lumber. Canadian leaders, including Carney, have reiterated their commitment to resuming discussions aimed at lowering tariffs, even amidst Trump’s confrontational trade approach.
Political reactions within Canada vary. Supporters like Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew backed Ford’s pro-trade stance, while some analysts observed that the ad may have complicated diplomatic relations. Ford defended the ad as a factual representation of Reagan’s anti-tariff speech, emphasizing its advocacy for fair trade policies.
The cessation of the Ontario ad indicates a temporary cooling of US-Canada trade tensions, fostering hopes for a resumption of formal negotiations shortly.
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