President Trump has cut off all trade negotiations with Canada, accusing the country of using a “fraudulent” ad. The ad, sponsored by Ontario, used a clip from a 1987 Ronald Reagan speech.
Trump, posting on truth social, claimed the “fake” ad was an attempt to interfere with US supreme court hearings on his tariffs. “based on their egregious behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated,” he wrote.
The ad in question was launched by Ontario premier Doug Ford to protest US tariffs, now at 35%, on Canadian imports. It features Reagan’s voice saying, “trade barriers hurt every American worker.”
The suspension of talks was confirmed by secretary of state Marco Rubio. This creates a crisis in the trade relationship, which is vital to both economies, particularly Ontario.
The ad also drew a sharp rebuke from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. They stated the “selective audio” was used without permission and “misrepresents” the former president’s full message on trade.
