OTTAWA — An Ontario government anti-tariff ad posthumously narrated by Ronald Reagan is no doubt racking up plenty of views after being cited by Donald Trump as a rationale for cutting off cross-border trade talks. One thing viewers won’t learn from the controversial TV spot is that Ontarians can thank Reagan’s protectionism for the province’s thriving network of Japanese-owned auto plants and parts manufacturers.

“It’s hard to draw a direct line, but Reagan used a careful blend of carrots (and) sticks in his dealings with the Japanese that Canada was able to emulate,” said Greig Mordue, an expert in automotive and advanced manufacturing policy at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

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