Trump Terminates Trade Talks with Canada over Reagan Tariff Ad
Washington lashes out at Ottawa over a provincial advertisement quoting Ronald Reagan’s warning against protectionism
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Trade tensions between the United States and Canada deepened this week after President Donald Trump abruptly terminated all trade negotiations with Ottawa, accusing Canada of “interference” following the release of a controversial advertisement quoting former U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.
Washington’s Sudden Termination of Talks
Trump announced the move late Wednesday on his social media platform, declaring, “ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” He called the advert “FAKE” and “egregious,” alleging it was designed to sway the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision on the legality of his sweeping tariff regime.
The advertisement, produced by the Canadian province of Ontario, features Reagan’s 1987 remarks warning that tariffs “hurt every American” and trigger “fierce trade wars.” The clip combines original excerpts from a national radio address in which Reagan criticized protectionist measures as harmful to both workers and consumers.
The Reagan Controversy
The Ronald Reagan Foundation issued a statement saying the advert used “selective” audio and video without authorization and “misrepresents” the former president’s speech. The Foundation said it was “reviewing its legal options.”
However, the full version of Reagan’s address — shared by Ontario Premier Doug Ford — confirms that while the advertisement shortened and rearranged segments, the words remained unaltered. Reagan had explicitly stated that “over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American,” a message at odds with Trump’s long-standing economic nationalism.
Trump responded furiously, asserting, “Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.”
Trump’s Expanding Tariff War
Since his return to office, Trump has imposed 35% tariffs on most Canadian imports, with targeted duties on cars, steel, and aluminum — sectors vital to Canada’s economy. While many goods remain exempt under the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, the measures have strained one of the world’s closest economic relationships.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on November 5 over whether Trump exceeded his presidential authority in imposing these tariffs. The outcome could determine the future of his protectionist policies, which have already provoked friction with multiple trading partners and deepened global economic uncertainty.
Canada’s Response: Restraint and Redirection
Prime Minister Mark Carney avoided direct confrontation, saying Canada remains “ready to resume trade talks when the Americans are ready.”
Speaking before his departure to the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Carney emphasized that Ottawa has made “a lot of progress” in negotiations but is now focusing on diversifying partnerships, particularly in Asia.
Three-quarters of Canadian exports depend on the U.S. market, making Ottawa especially vulnerable to Washington’s erratic trade policies. Ontario, a manufacturing hub, has suffered most from the tariffs and has been at the forefront of criticism against Trump’s measures.
Political Theater and Economic Fallout
Trump’s decision to weaponize trade negotiations over a one-minute provincial advertisement underscores the volatile and punitive nature of his economic agenda, where personal grievance often dictates policy.
Analysts warn that the move not only destabilizes North American trade but also reflects Washington’s broader pattern of coercion — using economic tools to punish allies while claiming to defend national interests.
As global markets brace for the Supreme Court’s ruling, the controversy once again exposes the fragile foundations of U.S. leadership, where political ego eclipses economic logic and international cooperation continues to erode under Trump’s confrontational governance. (PW)