U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada after blasting a Canadian advertisement that criticised tariffs and featured footage of late president Ronald Reagan warning against protectionism.
The ad, released by Ontario’s government, used excerpts from a 1987 Reagan speech urging Americans to reject trade barriers and embrace free competition — remarks that Trump dismissed as “fake” and “fraudulent.”
Trump accused Canada of releasing the video to sway US court hearings over his tariff hikes on Canadian steel, aluminium, timber and cars, which Ottawa had retaliated against. “All trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated,” Trump declared on Truth Social. The Reagan Presidential Foundation said Ontario misrepresented the speech and threatened legal action, although the full version confirms Reagan made the same comments.
It’s official: Ontario’s new advertising campaign in the U.S. has launched.
Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together.
Watch our new ad. pic.twitter.com/SgIVC1cqMJ
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 16, 2025
The US Supreme Court is set to rule next month on whether Trump had authority to impose the tariffs, after lower courts ruled against him. Canada has not yet responded to the move, but Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would block unfair US market access if talks failed. The two leaders are scheduled to meet next week at an economic summit in South Korea.
Thin skinned much…..?