Donald Trump has issued a warning to Canada after he condemned an ad by the Ontario government that used former president Ronald Reagan’s voice to criticize tariffs.

Trump has ruled out meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for trade talks called the commercial “dishonest” and criticized its continued broadcast after he thought that it had been taken off air. 

”That’s dirty playing — but I can play dirtier,” Trump told reporters.

Newsweek has contacted Canada’s foreign affairs ministry for comment. 

Why It Matters 

The ad featured excerpts of late U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs threatens to derail trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada at a time of uncertainty about the countries’ trade and closely linked supply chains.

What To Know 

The commercial, which was reportedly funded by the Ontario government, has been running on major U.S. networks during the first two games of the World Series and featured excerpts of Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump slammed the ad, calling it “dishonest” and not representing Reagan’s views on tariffs. 

But the U.S. president suggested that he was not placated by the Ontario government announcing it would stop running the commercial. He told reporters on Friday as headed off on a trip to Asia that he had no intention of meeting with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney who is slated to attend the two summits Trump will also be at. 

Trump criticized the decision to keep airing the commercial during U.S. broadcasts of the World Series, saying, “I didn’t know they were putting it on a little bit more,” when he thought that it would be pulled.

Trump called it “dirty playing” and adding that he could play “dirtier” without specifying further.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute has also criticized the ad for using selective audio and video from 1987 to imply Reagan opposed tariffs in general, when he backed them in specific contexts. 

But Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on X the aim of the commercial was to spark debate about the impact of Trump’s tariffs on workers and businesses and that “we’ve achieved our goal.” 

What People Are Saying 

President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday: “I heard they were pulling the ad, I didn’t know they were putting it on a little bit more. They could have pulled it tonight. Well, that’s dirty playing — but I can play dirtier than they can, you know? Really, very dishonest.” 

He added: “I’m very disappointed in Canada. They lied. I mean, it was a it was a fraud what they did.” 

Regarding the U.S. trade deal with Canada, Trump said: “I’m satisfied with the deal we have. We have a deal right now that’s very good for us. “ 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote on X: “I’ve directed my team to keep putting our message in front of Americans over the weekend so that we can air our commercial during the first two World Series games.” 

What Happens Next 

Both Trump and Carney will attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Kuala Lumpur and then the APEC summit in South Korea. Trump has ruled out a meeting but there will be anticipation over whether the trade spat between the neighbors can be mended.