Ontario’s Doug Ford demands apology from US ambassador over tariff ‘tirade’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has demanded an apology from the U.S. ambassador to Canada following a tense exchange between the envoy and the province’s trade representative.
The exchange — described by CBC News as “an expletive-filled tirade” — 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 “absolutely unacceptable” and “unbecoming of an ambassador,” Ford urged Hoekstra to make amends. “Pete, you need to call Dave and apologize. It’s simple,” Ford said.
Last week, President Trump suspended trade negotiations with Canada over the ad and threatened to impose additional 10% tariffs on Canadian imports.
“You know, the cheese slipped off the cracker. I understand,” Ford said at a news conference Wednesday, referring to Hoekstra’s outburst. “You’re pissed, but call this guy out because you’re a good guy and Dave is my champion.”
The ad, funded by the Ontario government, uses a quote from Reagan that tariffs “hurt every America,” repeating excerpts from the former president’s 1987 national radio address focused on foreign trade.
Ford wanted to use advertising to influence public opinion on tariffs in conservative areas supported by Trump. The Prime Minister said the ad had “over a billion impressions” and was seen by a global audience.
“What do they expect from me? Sit and roll like any other person in the world,” he said.
The spot also aired during the first two games of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which Ford hailed as “the most successful commercial in North American history.”
“They’re talking about it in the United States, and they weren’t talking about it before I ran the ad,” Ford said.
But it frustrated many in the Trump administration, particularly President Donald Trump, who threatened to increase tariffs on Canada by 10% “above and beyond” current levies following Ford’s action.
When Trump was asked to elaborate on what the additional tariffs would look like, he responded, “I don’t know when it will go into effect, and we’ll see, but I don’t really want to discuss it.”
There are currently 35% tariffs on Canadian products, although most are exempt under an existing free trade agreement. However, certain sectors apply separate customs duties, including 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on automobiles.
On Wednesday, the US Senate voted in favor of a resolution that would block Trump’s tariffs on Canada.
The 50-46 vote would end the national emergency used to impose tariffs on certain products from Canada.
But the measure is unlikely to gain the necessary support in the US House of Representatives.
