Doug Ford Defends Ontario Trade Amid Trump Tariff Threats

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is standing firm in defense of the provincial government’s advertising campaign that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to end trade talks with Canada. Ford described it as “the best ad that ever ran.”

Speaking at Queen’s Park, Ford emphasized that he will “never apologize” for defending Ontario’s workers and industries, accusing the Trump administration of trying to poach Canadian jobs through the use of tariffs.

Trump Responds with Tariffs and Suspends Trade Talks

Last week, President Trump announced that he was suspending ongoing trade discussions with Canada and would retaliate with a 10 per cent tariff in response to Ontario’s ad campaign. The ad aired in several major U.S. television markets and has drawn significant attention on both sides of the border.

Ad Features Reagan’s Warning on Tariffs

The controversial advertisement features former U.S. President Ronald Reagan cautioning that tariffs can lead to trade wars and damage economic growth. The message was intended to highlight the long-term dangers of protectionist policies and promote open trade between Ontario and the United States.

Federal Government Caught Off Guard

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment at the sudden halt in negotiations, noting that Ottawa and Washington had been making steady progress on key issues including steel, aluminum, and energy exports.

“We were closer than ever to a breakthrough,” Carney said, adding that the Trump administration’s decision came unexpectedly after weeks of constructive dialogue.

Ford Pushes for Relief in Ontario’s Auto Sector

Ford revealed that he has been hearing about an imminent trade deal for months but remains skeptical about whether it would deliver real benefits for Ontario’s struggling automotive sector. He stressed that his priority remains protecting local manufacturing jobs and ensuring fair trade for Ontario businesses.

“Ontario will always stand up for our workers,” Ford concluded. “If defending our jobs offends someone in Washington, so be it.”