Trump Halts Trade Talks with Canada Over Anti-Tariff Advertisement
US President Donald Trump has abruptly suspended all ongoing trade negotiations with Canada, citing a controversial advertisement aired by the Ontario government that criticises tariffs.
In a post on Truth Social late Thursday, Trump said the ad—which features former US President Ronald Reagan warning against the dangers of protectionism—was a direct provocation.
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” Trump wrote, accusing Canada of attempting to undermine US policy.
The move comes as the White House enforces a 35% tariff on Canadian imports, with certain exclusions still applied under the USMCA trade agreement. Trump has also levied steep, sector-specific duties, including 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles, which have already strained Canadian industries and led to job losses.
The one-minute ad, part of a C$75 million media campaign, uses a 1987 Reagan radio address in which the former president warned that tariffs trigger trade wars and harm workers and consumers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared the clip, vowing that his government would continue fighting US tariffs on Canadian goods.
However, the Ronald Reagan Foundation sharply condemned the ad, saying the audio and visuals were “selectively edited” and used without permission. The foundation added that it was reviewing potential legal responses.
The Canadian government has not yet issued a formal reply, and officials in Ontario and Canada’s US embassy have so far declined to comment.
Meanwhile, China also recently circulated a Reagan clip to criticize Trump’s global tariff strategy, highlighting how the former president’s legacy is being invoked in today’s trade battles.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected.