Overview
- U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra reportedly delivered an expletive-laden dressing-down of Ontario’s Washington representative, David Paterson, at a Canadian American Business Council event in Ottawa, according to multiple witnesses.
- Premier Doug Ford called the ambassador’s conduct “absolutely unacceptable,” urged him to apologize to Paterson, and said the ad was meant to spark a U.S. conversation on tariffs before Ontario paused the campaign on Monday.
- President Donald Trump said he terminated trade negotiations with Canada and announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports, later telling reporters he does not intend to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney for a while.
- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute said Ontario’s ad misrepresents Reagan’s remarks and that permission to use and edit the 1987 address was neither sought nor granted.
- Ford said Carney reviewed the ad before it aired, a claim Ottawa has not confirmed, and witnesses said Hoekstra asserted a sector deal on steel, aluminum and energy had been close before the ad became a flashpoint.