UPDATE: President Donald Trump has officially terminated all trade negotiations with Canada, following a controversial advertisement aired by the Ontario provincial government. The announcement came late Thursday evening, coinciding with Ontario Premier Doug Ford‘s launch of a $75 million ad campaign aimed at American Republican voters.
Trump’s abrupt decision is a direct response to what he termed a “FAKE” advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan, which he claims was designed to interfere with ongoing U.S. legal proceedings. The ad aired just as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a pivotal case regarding Trump’s tariff policies, adding urgency to the situation.
In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs.” He accused Canada of timing the ad to disrupt the Supreme Court’s decisions, saying, “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.”
In light of what he called “egregious behavior,” Trump declared, “ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” This marks the second time Trump has halted trade discussions over tensions regarding tariffs.
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” Trump stated.
In a rare public rebuttal, the Ronald Reagan Foundation stated that the advertisement “misrepresents” Reagan’s 1987 address, emphasizing that his words were edited without permission. The foundation has called for viewers to watch the full, unedited version of the address, indicating that legal action is under consideration.
The controversial ad, shared by Ford on social media platform X, features Reagan warning that while tariffs may seem patriotic, they ultimately “hurt every American worker and consumer.” Ford, a self-identified “big Ronald Reagan fan,” has vowed to promote this message across Republican strongholds throughout the U.S.
This latest escalation in U.S.-Canada trade relations highlights the increasingly volatile political landscape as Trump continues to prioritize tariffs in his agenda for a potential second term. With the Supreme Court set to hear arguments on the matter soon, the implications of this trade termination could resonate widely, impacting both economies amid a tense global environment.
What happens next remains uncertain as both sides prepare for a potential backlash. Observers are keenly watching how this development will affect U.S.-Canada relations and the broader political landscape as crucial elections approach. Stay tuned for further updates on this rapidly evolving story.
