Pete Hoekstra says Canada ‘asserted itself’ in U.S. politics with ads

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US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra suggested Canada had set a “new precedent” by asserting itself in American politics with a recent anti-tariff ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan.

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Speaking at a national conference of Canadian manufacturers and exporters in Ottawa on Tuesday, Hoekstra warned the federal and provincial governments, asking them to “seriously consider” whether the controversial ad created by the Ontario government will help Canada achieve its goals, saying the ads amount to helping the country “participate in our electoral politics.”

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In commercials that aired in the US last month, Reagan criticized the tariffs. The commercials prompted US President Donald Trump to suspend all trade negotiations with Canada.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford subsequently pulled the ad from air.

Hoekstra said that as far as he could tell, nothing like this had “never happened before in America,” noting that the Trump administration had a right to be upset about the ad. This was reported by Global News..

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“If Canada wants to make a statement and set a new precedent that you are going to engage in our electoral politics through advertising that targets the President of the United States and his policies, I would encourage you to seriously consider whether this is the best way to try to achieve your goals in the United States of America.”

Time equal to political intervention?

Hoekstra said the ad aired weeks before November elections in several states and weeks before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hold hearings on Trump's tariff powers. He said the timing of the commercials amounted to political interference.

“I’m sorry, but that doesn’t happen in the United States of America,” he said, adding that those who play political advertising can’t expect consequences.

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Hoekstra also criticized the reported advertising costs, saying the Ontario government spent $54 million in “American dollars, which is real money,” after which his comment was “just a joke,” according to KTV News.

Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized to Trump personally last month over the ad and criticized the Ford government's decision to air it.

Asked whether trade talks between the two countries could be resumed, Hoekstra said he believed it was possible, “but it won't be easy.”

Ford wants Hoekstra to apologize for tirade

Ford previously said he wanted Hoekstra to apologize to the province's representative in Washington after the U.S. ambassador reportedly shouted obscenities over an anti-tariff ad.

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As reported by the Suna recent incident in Ottawa resulted in Hoekstra yelling at sales representative David Paterson over an ad.

Ford said that while he understands the situation may be heating up, Hoekstra's behavior is reportedly “unworthy of an ambassador.” Ford said Hoekstra should call Paterson and apologize.

“(I've) never heard of this in my life, but Ambassador is a different type of cat. He thinks I'm a different type of cat, but he's a different type of cat,” Ford said. So Pete, do the right thing. Call the guy. Let's move on.”

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