OTTAWA-canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revealed he personally cautioned Ontario Premier Doug Ford against running a controversial advertisement that drew sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trudeau stated he is responsible for the Canada-U.S. relationship, wiht the federal government handling foreign affairs with the U.S. government.
The ad, which featured a 1987 speech by Ronald Reagan warning against tariffs, prompted Trump to accuse Ontario of attempting to influence the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of arguments this month concerning his authority to impose tariffs-a cornerstone of his economic policy. While Ford pulled the ad last Monday, it was permitted to air during the first two games of the World Series. Ford had previously indicated that both Trudeau and his chief of staff had reviewed the advertisement prior to it’s release.
Trudeau’s intervention comes as he actively seeks a trade deal with the U.S. to alleviate tariffs impacting key Canadian sectors like steel, aluminum, auto, and lumber. More than 75% of Canadian exports are destined for the U.S., with approximately $2.7 billion (CAD 3.6 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border daily. Trump has repeatedly complained about the trade imbalance and the impact of Canadian tariffs on American industries.The Supreme Court case coudl significantly impact Trump’s ability to implement his tariff policies.
