President Donald Trump accused Canada of ‘fraudulently’ using former President Ronald Reagan’s 1987 speech|@WhiteHouse|X
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the termination of all trade talks with Canada, escalating tensions between the two close economic partners.
The move came after Ontario’s government aired an ad featuring former US President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs in a 1987 speech.
Trump accused Canada of “fraudulently” using the clip to influence US courts and mislead the public. The Ronald Reagan Foundation confirmed it had not approved the ad and said it “misrepresents” Reagan’s message.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the ad, saying Canada would “never stop making the case against American tariffs.” Trump, however, doubled down on his protectionist stance, calling tariffs critical for national security.
The US imported $411.9 billion worth of goods from Canada in 2024, but steep tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber have hurt Canada’s economy, pushing unemployment to a nine-year high.
Analysts warn that Trump’s decision could destabilize the North American supply chain.