In a dramatic move, US President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of all trade negotiations with Canada. The decision, shared via a post on Truth Social late Thursday, was prompted by an advertisement from the Ontario government featuring former US President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump labeled the ad as ‘egregious behavior’ and declared, ‘ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.’ The US president has already imposed a 35% levy on Canadian imports, with exemptions for goods covered under the USMCA, a trade agreement negotiated during his first term. The Ontario ad, part of a $75 million campaign on US mainstream TV channels, included excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 national radio address, where he warned that tariffs harm workers and consumers, provoke trade wars, and lead to job losses. Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the ad, stating, ‘We’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada.’ The Ronald Reagan Foundation criticized the ad for using ‘selective audio and video’ without permission and misrepresenting Reagan’s views, adding that it is reviewing legal options. Trump’s tariffs, particularly on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, have significantly impacted Canada, causing job losses and economic strain. Earlier this year, China’s embassy in Washington also used a similar Reagan clip to critique Trump’s global tariffs. This development marks another escalation in US-Canada trade tensions, with further updates expected.
Trump says trade talks with Canada ‘terminated’ over anti-tariffs advert
