Ontario Premier Doug Ford plans to run anti-tariff ad during World Series game despite Trump canceling trade talks

In the wake of President Donald Trump ending trade talks with Canada over an advertisement from the Ontario government regarding tariffs that misrepresented former President Ronald Reagan’s views on the concept, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has doubled down, saying that the ad campaign will air during the World Series on Friday.

Per Globe and Mail reporter Laura Stone, Ford said, "I will be running the ad tonight for the World Series." The 2025 World Series will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ford announced on Friday afternoon that the ad would stop running on Monday, however, it will run through the weekend. "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. We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. I've directed my team to keep putting our message in front of Americans over the weekend so that we can air our commercial during the first two World Series games."

"In speaking with Prime Minister Carney, Ontario will pause its U.S. advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume. The people elected our government to protect Ontario—our workers, businesses, families and communities. That's exactly what I'm doing. Like I said earlier today: 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."

The advertisement features Reagan criticizing tariffs, saying that despite appearing patriotic, they ultimately "hurt every American worker and consumer” and “lead to fierce trade wars and lost jobs." The Reagan Foundation has denounced the ad, saying that it misrepresents the former president’s positions on tariffs and did not show the full context of Reagan’s views.

"The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute learned that the Government of Ontario, Canada, created an ad campaign using selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan delivering his 'Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade,' dated April 25, 1987. The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks."

"The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is reviewing its legal options in this matter. We encourage you to watch President Reagan’s unedited video on our YouTube channel."

In response, Trump said that "all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated."

"The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. The ad was for $75,000,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the US Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE USA."

"Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on Friday that officials have been having "constructive" negotiations with American officials, and that Canada "stands ready to pick up on that progress and build on that progress when the Americans are ready to have those discussions."

Michael Reagan, President of the Reagan Foundation and son of the former president, noted that he saw local Los Angeles TV station KTLA reporting on the cessation of trade talks between the two nations. "They left out that the ad that was used was a lie. Using my father in the ad. KTLA I am done with your FN reporting," he said ,