Ambassador Says Regan Commercial Is Uncharted Waters

During a recent manufacturer’s conference in Ottawa, the talk turned to resuming trade talks between the U.S. and Canada.  Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, said it could be a challenge to get things going again, thanks to a recent TV commercial produced by Canadians, using former President Ronald Regan.

“I've got suggestions that I think can get it restarted, but it's not going to be easy.  

“People will say, the ‘president got mad about an ad’.  People will say, ‘Pete, you just don't understand why we're so mad about the 51st state’. Yeah, you're right, I don't. All I can say is to my Canadian friends is, the ad that was run, no one can ever remember a like circumstance where a foreign government came into the United States targeting the president of the United States and his policy, and a couple of weeks before a Supreme Court case would be heard in front of the Supreme Court," Hoekstra said.  "That does not happen in the United States of America.  

“You do not come into America and start political ads and expect no consequences or reaction from the United States of America and the Trump administration," Hoekstra continued.  "As far as we can tell, it has never happened in America before.  And if Canada wants to insert 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 to achieve your objectives in the United States of America.” 

Hoekstra suggested the the anti-tariff Reagan commercial will not soon be forgotten, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico look to begin negotiations to update USMCA.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com