Politicians React as Trump Condemns Ontario’s Anti-Tariff Ad

Canadian and American politicians are responding to remarks made by Donald Trump, who criticized an anti-tariff advertisement released by the Ontario government. The ad features a clip from a radio address by former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, in which he speaks against tariffs. Trump labeled the advertisement as “fake” and announced that all trade negotiations with Canada are “hereby terminated.”

In April 1987, Reagan delivered a radio address advocating for free trade, and the Ontario ad aims to highlight this stance. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute issued a statement asserting that the ad misrepresents Reagan’s message, claiming that the Ontario government did not seek or receive permission to use and edit his remarks.

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney countered this statement in a post on social media platform X, arguing that the foundation does not hold copyright over the public domain statements made by a president decades ago. Kenney described the foundation’s position as “laughably ridiculous” and maintained that the ad accurately reflects Reagan’s original message.

He stated, “The Ontario ad does not misrepresent President Reagan’s anti-tariff radio address in any respect whatsoever. It is a direct replay of his radio address, formatted for a one minute ad.”

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest echoed Kenney’s sentiments, sharing a video of Reagan’s address on X. He thanked Trump for “drawing our attention to a historic and foundational document in the Canada-U.S. economic relationship,” inviting others to listen to the full speech and form their own opinions.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously encouraged Canadians to visit his state, also weighed in. He quoted Reagan’s warning against the dangers of tariffs, stating, “When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products… Markets shrink and collapse, industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs.” Newsom added, “Here are the words Trump doesn’t want you to see.”

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew supported the Ontario government’s ad, asserting that Trump’s tariffs contradict Reagan’s legacy. He shared a video of himself addressing Manitoba residents, affirming that the ad is both accurate and impactful. Kinew commented, “If you throw a rock at a lake, and you don’t hear a splash, you’ve probably missed.”

In a post on X, Michael Reagan, son of the late president, expressed his view that the ad is misleading. He stated he had seen a news report about Trump’s cancellation of tariff negotiations with Canada and criticized the advertisement used, noting, “Trump responded correctly” to the situation.

The controversy surrounding the Ontario advertisement highlights the ongoing tensions in trade relations between Canada and the United States, as well as the differing interpretations of Reagan’s legacy in the context of modern economic policies.