Ottawa launches anti-tariff ad campaign across 12 red states, plus a patriotic TV spot at home [Video]

Canada is trying to win the hearts and minds of Americans with an ad campaign against U.S. tariffs targeting 12 Republican-voting states.

Speaking on CNN Friday morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said the federal government paid for ads on digital billboards along key highways in red states — states where the majority voted for President Donald Trump — including Florida, Nevada, Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan and Ohio. 

“Canadians are sending the message that there’s no winners in a trade war. There will be job losses on both sides of the border, particularly in the U.S.,” Joly said in an interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown. 

The government also launched a television ad campaign at home. It is voiced in English by Rick Mercer and in French by Remi-Pierre Paquin with music by Vancouver rock duo Japandroids.

The ad, which has been posted to the federal government’s social media accounts, features …