Kaine Calls Trump’s Outrage Over Ontario Ad a “Temper Tantrum,” Says It’s Embarrassing for the U.S.

WASHINGTON –  Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia is calling U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest trade outburst toward Canada “a temper tantrum” that will eventually blow over, though he says the incident is “embarrassing for the United States.”

In an exclusive Canadian interview with Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday, Kaine described Trump’s fury over an Ontario government anti-tariff advertisement as another example of “super childish behaviour” from the president.

“The ad was a very fair ad,” Kaine said. “It’s just one more example of super childish behaviour by the president.”

Trump’s Anger Over Ontario Ad

Canada–U.S. trade relations have once again been thrown into uncertainty after Ontario aired a television advertisement criticizing tariffs. The ad featured clips from a 1987 speech by former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who warned against the dangers of tariffs and trade barriers.

The advertisement appears to have struck a nerve with Trump, who lashed out on social media Saturday afternoon, accusing Canada of “fraud” and threatening to raise “the Tariff on Canada” by 10 per cent,  though it remains unclear which specific tariffs he was referring to.

“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote.

Trump also claimed Reagan “LOVED tariffs for national security purposes,” rejecting the ad’s implication that Reagan opposed protectionism.

Earlier in the week, Trump said he was halting all trade discussions with Canada over the advertisement, calling it “fake and fraudulent.”

Kaine: “It’s a Self-Inflicted Wound”

Kaine, who recorded his interview with host Rosemary Barton less than an hour before Trump’s tariff threat, said the president’s ongoing trade war has done serious damage to the U.S. economy.

“This trade war is a self-inflicted wound on the American economy,” Kaine said. “We’ve got to get back to the table.”

He added that Trump’s outrage “won’t last,” but noted that “it’s embarrassing for the United States that we have a president who lets an ad rattle him so deeply.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Friday that the ad would be pulled from U.S. airwaves after the weekend, though it aired again Saturday night during the World Series,  reaching millions of American viewers.

Pushing to End Trump’s Tariffs

Kaine has been a leading voice in Congress pushing to end Trump’s broad tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and other U.S. trading partners.

Earlier this month, he and a bipartisan group of senators — including Republican Sen. Rand Paul  introduced legislation to terminate the national emergency declaration that Trump has used to justify the tariffs.

Kaine said he expects more Republican support this time around.

“I think we will get Republican senators on this vote in October, in addition to the four Republicans who voted with us in April,” he said.

Meanwhile, a major court battle over Trump’s tariff powers is also underway. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in November after a lower court ruled that Trump’s sweeping tariffs were unconstitutional.

If the court upholds that decision, Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and other countries could be struck down, including his so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs related to fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

Kaine said Trump’s frustration may stem from this looming legal showdown.

“He can be petulant, but the facts and the economic chaos are closing in on him,” Kaine said. “I think that will get the president back to the table with Canada.”

Ford, Trump Team Trade Blows

Trump’s latest comments also sparked criticism of Ontario Premier Doug Ford from within his own administration.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Face the Nation on Sunday that Ford “seems to have come off the rails a little” and accused Ontario of interfering in “U.S. sovereign matters.”

“It’s clearly damaged our relationship with the most populous province in Canada,” Bessent said.

Ford has not yet commented publicly on Trump’s tariff threat.

Carney Promotes Canada Abroad

While the trade spat unfolds, Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Southeast Asia attending the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. In his address, Carney emphasized the importance of “reliable partners who honour their commitments” — a message widely interpreted as a veiled reference to the U.S.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Carney said Canada remains ready to resume constructive discussions with Washington.

“The government of Canada stands ready to build on the progress we had been making with our American counterparts,” he said. “Our focus is on securing the best deal for Canadian workers and their families.”

Carney also reaffirmed Canada’s long-term goal of diversifying its export markets, pledging to “more than double our exports away from the United States over the course of the next decade.”

Analysis

Political analysts in both countries have described Ontario’s advertisement as “clever, effective, and legally sound,” while Trump’s response underscores how dramatically the tone of Canada–U.S. relations has changed.

As Kaine put it, Trump’s anger may fade, but the damage to America’s image and credibility could linger far longer.