Overview
- President Trump ended negotiations with Ottawa and said he will add 10% to existing U.S. duties on Canadian goods in response to Ontario’s ad that aired during the World Series.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province will pause the ad after the weekend, but it continued to run during the first two games as planned.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labeled the spot “propaganda” and “psy-ops,” called it interference in U.S. matters, and acknowledged it has been taken down.
- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation said Ontario misrepresented Reagan’s 1987 remarks and lacked permission, while a Poynter/PolitiFact review found the ad reordered clips without altering his overarching anti-tariff message.
- The clash arrives just before a Supreme Court review of presidential tariff authority, as Canadian officials defend Ford’s approach and Prime Minister Mark Carney asserts federal control over U.S. trade talks.