Premier Doug Ford criticized U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra for his profanity-laden outburst towards Ontario’s trade representative, deeming it inappropriate for an ambassador. The incident occurred at a Canadian American Business Council event in Ottawa, where witnesses reported a heated exchange involving expletives and references to Ford, likely triggered by Ontario’s anti-tariff ad that recently aired in the U.S.
Ford defended the ad as a necessary response to President Trump’s repeated attacks on Ontario and Canada, emphasizing the importance of standing up for the province. He urged Hoekstra to apologize to the trade representative and resume negotiations. Despite the tensions, Ford acknowledged Hoekstra as a “good guy” and mentioned a friendly bet they had for the World Series.
The controversial ad, featuring a speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan opposing tariffs, aimed to spark dialogue and highlight the detrimental impact of tariffs on both countries. Ford emphasized that Reagan’s stance on tariffs aligns with the ad’s message, emphasizing the need for fair trade practices.
While Hoekstra has faced scrutiny in the past for his candid remarks on Canada-U.S. relations, he has downplayed controversies such as Canadian retaliation against tariffs and Trump’s remarks about Canada becoming a U.S. state. Ford emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and finding common ground in trade negotiations between the two countries.
