US slams Ontario anti-tariff ad; warns of ‘interference in US domestic politics’

In a rare political message, Pete Hoekstra, the US ambassador to Canada, warned Canadian governments that airing anti-tariff ads on US networks could be seen as direct interference in the US political process and should be done with much more caution.

Speaking at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters National Conference in Ottawa, Hoekstra said an ad the Ontario government ran last month—which quoted Ronald Reagan on tariffs—was seen by Washington as unconventional and provocative.

How did Trump react?

The ad immediately led Donald Trump to suspend trade talks with Canada. The talks have not resumed to this day.

Hoekstra said such ads are not typically seen in the US by foreign governments and are expected to provoke a strong reaction.

A question of timing: Why did the US get so sensitive?

According to the ambassador, the ad aired just weeks before the US state elections and also before the Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s tariff powers, and therefore, from Washington’s perspective, is considered an attempt at political influence.

He added:

“This doesn’t happen in America. You can’t come into America, run a political ad against the president and expect it to go away.”

Carney’s apology vs. stalled talks

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously apologized to Trump for this issue, but the apology has not yet been able to get the talks moving.
Experts believe that the tension could affect the economic climate of the two countries and must be managed carefully.