After a conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has cancelled a controversial advertisement that sparked a diplomatic dispute between Canada and the United States.The ad, produced by the Ontario government, featured former U.S. president Ronald Reagan speaking about tariffs. The Reagan Presidential Foundation accused Ontario of using “selective audio and video” and “misrepresenting” Reagan’s remarks, saying the province did not have permission to use the material and that it was “reviewing its legal options.”.The controversy escalated Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he was terminating “all trade negotiations” with Canada, accusing the country of “fraudulently” using Reagan’s image and attempting to influence the U.S. Supreme Court.In response, Ford said Friday that Ontario would pull the ad in an effort to de-escalate tensions and allow trade talks to resume. “Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses,” Ford said in a statement. “We’ve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels.”He said the campaign would continue through the weekend with placements during the first two World Series games, before being paused on Monday. “The people elected our government to protect Ontario — our workers, businesses, families and communities. That’s exactly what I’m doing,” Ford said. “Canada and the U.S. are neighbours, friends and allies. We’re so much stronger when we work together. Let’s work together to build Fortress Am-Can and make our two countries stronger, more prosperous and more secure.”.Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada remains prepared to resume negotiations once the United States is ready. He added that both countries had made progress on issues such as steel, aluminum and energy before the dispute erupted..Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney’s handling of trade talks in a post on X, writing, “Mark Carney promised to ‘negotiate a win’ with President Trump and to get a deal by July 21st. Still no deal. Still no win. Liberal elbows gone. U.S. tariffs up. Jobs headed south.”.Trump reiterated his allegations later on Truth Social, claiming Canada had “cheated and got caught” and accusing the country of long-standing unfair trade practices.
