Ontario Premier Doug Ford has demanded an apology from the U.S. ambassador to Canada after a tense conversation between the envoy and the province's trade representative.
The conversation, described by CBC News as a “tirade of expletives,” took place between U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra and Ontario trade representative David Paterson over a television ad criticizing Trump's tariffs.
Calling the remarks “totally unacceptable” and “unworthy of an ambassador,” Ford called on Hoekstra to correct the situation. “Pete, you need to call Dave and apologize. It’s simple,” Ford said.
Last week, President Trump suspended trade talks with Canada over the ad and threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports.
“You know, the cheese slipped off the cracker. I get it,” Ford said at a news conference Wednesday, referring to Hoekstra’s outburst. “You're annoyed, but call this guy because you're a good guy and Dave is my champion.”
The ad, paid for by the Ontario government, features a quote from Reagan saying tariffs are “hurting every America” as well as excerpts from the former president's 1987 national radio address on foreign trade.
Ford wanted to use the ad to influence public opinion about the tariffs in conservative, Trump-backed areas. The prime minister said the ad received “more than a billion impressions” and was seen by a global audience.
“What do they expect me to do? Sit down and roll over like every other person in the world,” he said.
The ad also aired during the first two games of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, which Ford called “the most successful ad in North American history.”
“They're talking about it in the US, and they weren't talking about it before I advertised,” Ford said.
But it disappointed many in the Trump administration, especially President Donald Trump, who threatened to raise tariffs on Canada by 10% “above” current charges following Ford's action.
When asked to detail what additional tariffs would look like, Trump said, “I don't know when they'll go into effect, and we'll see, but I don't really want to discuss it.”
There is currently a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, although most are exempt from this tax under the current free trade agreement. However, some sectors have separate tariffs, including 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on cars.
On Wednesday, the US Senate voted to approve a resolution that would block Trump's tariffs on Canada.
The 50-46 vote will end the national emergency that was used to impose tariffs on some Canadian goods.
But the measure is unlikely to gain the necessary support in the US House of Representatives.
