EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly endorsed Ontario’s decision to terminate its controversial anti-tariff advertising campaign, stating that credible diplomacy is the proper strategy to secure the Canada-U.S. agreement.
Premier Smith expressed satisfaction with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision, emphasizing that both countries should instead focus on common objectives, such as energy. “Credible diplomacy is the right strategy to secure the Canada-U.S. agreement,” Smith said.
The advertising campaign was initially pulled by Ontario Premier Doug Ford after U.S. President Donald Trump canceled trade negotiations with Canada in response to the ads. The advertisements featured footage of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan stating that tariffs destroy the economy, a depiction Trump claimed misrepresented Reagan’s views. Ford announced the campaign withdrawal to facilitate the resumption of trade talks between the two nations.
However, the move drew criticism from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who opposed Smith’s stance. Kinew argued that Ontario should not have backed down, suggesting that Trump’s strong reaction indicated the campaign had been effective in making its point.
