US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the Ontario provincial government for waiting until after the first two games of the World Series to suspend a television advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan speaking against tariffs.
"They could have pulled it tonight," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday evening before departing for a trip to Asia. His comments reflect frustration over what he characterized as "dirty play" by Ontario in the timing of the ad's suspension.
The controversial advertisement featured Reagan delivering remarks critical of tariffs, which Ontario had been running during high-profile broadcasts including the World Series. The province's decision to pause the ad only after two games of the championship series had already aired drew the president's ire.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute has stated that the advertisement misrepresents Reagan's radio address speech from April 25, 1987. The foundation's objection suggests that the ad may have taken Reagan's words out of context or applied them inappropriately to current trade policy debates.
The dispute highlights escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Canadian provinces over trade policy. Trump has implemented various tariff measures as part of his economic strategy, while Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who chairs the Council of the Federation, have pushed back against these policies.
Ontario's use of Reagan a Republican icon to criticize Trump's tariff policies represents an unusual strategy in cross-border political messaging. By invoking Reagan's legacy, Ontario officials appear to have attempted to appeal to conservative American voters who might oppose Trump's protectionist trade measures.
The timing of the ad's suspension during the World Series, one of North America's most-watched sporting events, suggests Ontario may have been seeking maximum visibility for its anti-tariff message before bowing to pressure from the Reagan Foundation or diplomatic considerations.
Trump's public criticism of Ontario's timing indicates his administration views the incident as deliberately provocative. The president's comments came as he prepared for an Asian diplomatic trip, underscoring how trade disputes with Canada continue to demand his attention even amid other international priorities.
The incident adds another chapter to the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and Canada that have characterized Trump's second term in office.
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