UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced the termination of all trade negotiations with Canada following a controversial advertisement that he claims misrepresents former President Ronald Reagan. This dramatic move, unveiled late Thursday night, comes in response to Ontario Premier Doug Ford‘s launch of a $75 million ad campaign targeting Republican voters in the U.S.
The ad, which aired just as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to deliberate on critical tariff policies, features Reagan warning that tariffs “look like they’re doing the patriotic thing” but ultimately “hurt every American worker and consumer.” Trump reacted explosively, branding the ad “FAKE” and accusing Canada of attempting to interfere in U.S. legal affairs.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement… They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts.” He declared that, due to this “egregious behavior,” all trade negotiations with Canada are now officially terminated.
The Ronald Reagan Foundation issued a rare rebuke, asserting that the ad “misrepresents” Reagan’s original message from a 1987 radio address. While the foundation did not detail specific inaccuracies, it encouraged the public to view the full unedited address on its YouTube channel, indicating that legal action is under consideration.
Ford, a self-proclaimed “big Ronald Reagan fan,” remains defiant, vowing to spread the message through “every Republican district” across the country. The timing of the ad’s release has raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting it was strategically designed to influence the Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision on tariffs.
Trump’s abrupt termination of trade talks marks the second instance in recent weeks where he has pulled back from negotiations with Canada. With tariffs being a pivotal element of his second-term agenda, the president shows no signs of backing down.
As this story develops, stakeholders in both the U.S. and Canada will be closely monitoring the implications on trade relations and the ongoing debate surrounding tariffs. This unfolding situation is not just a political maneuver; it carries significant potential repercussions for economies on both sides of the border.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent story develops.
