U.S. envoy warns Canada to ‘seriously consider’ avoiding anti-tariff ads

Ambassador Pete Hoekstra took aim at the Ontario government-funded ad campaign that aired in the U.S., saying the timing of the ads amounted to political interference.

The U.S. ambassador to Canada on Wednesday warned federal and provincial governments to “seriously consider” whether anti-tariff advertising in the United States will help achieve Canada’s goals, adding he thinks the ads amounted to trying to “participate in our electoral politics.”

Speaking at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters’ national conference in Ottawa, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra took aim at an Ontario government-funded ad campaign that aired in the U.S. last month and quoted former U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.

The ad prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend trade negotiations with Canada.

“As far as we can tell, it has never happened in America before,” Hoekstra said, saying Trump and his administration were right to be upset over the ad.

“If Canada wants to assert itself and create a new precedent that you’re going to participate in our electoral politics, through advertising targeting the president of the United States and his policies, I would suggest that you seriously consider whether that is the best way to try and achieve your objectives in the United States of America.”

Hoekstra noted the ad aired on American TV weeks before November’s elections in several states and the U.S. Supreme Court hearing over Trump’s tariff powers, which include the tariffs laid on Canada over fentanyl trafficking allegations.

The ambassador suggested the timing of the ad amounted to political interference.

“I’m sorry, that does not happen in the United States of America,” he told the crowd.