Trump says he’s ending trade talks with Canada over TV ads
Muhammad Javed Mushtaq :
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an immediate halt to all trade negotiations with Canada, accusing the country of running a “fraudulent” advertisement that misrepresented former President Ronald Reagan’s stance on tariffs.
Trump made the declaration on Truth Social Thursday night, calling the ad an “egregious attempt” to sway U.S. court decisions related to his tariff policies. The move follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks that his government plans to boost exports beyond the United States due to the uncertainty created by Washington’s tariff measures.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation confirmed in a statement that the Ontario government produced the ad without permission, saying it distorted Reagan’s 1987 radio address on free and fair trade. The foundation said it was reviewing legal options and encouraged the public to view the original, unedited speech.
Trump continued his criticism Friday morning, writing that “CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!!” and asserting that tariffs had strengthened America’s economy and national security.
The controversy coincides with a pending Supreme Court case scheduled for November, in which justices will determine whether Trump can impose broad tariffs under emergency powers — a move previously rejected by two lower courts.
Carney’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, as he prepared to leave for an Asian summit. Meanwhile, Trump is also expected to depart for a separate trip later Friday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford had promoted the contested ad last week on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada.”
Trump’s decision marks another escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade dispute, with both nations imposing tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of goods. The tensions have particularly impacted Canada’s automotive sector, much of it based in Ontario. Automaker Stellantis recently announced plans to shift one of its production lines from Ontario to Illinois due to tariff-related challenges.
More than three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the U.S., amounting to approximately C$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) in daily cross-border trade. The breakdown in talks threatens to deepen economic uncertainty ahead of a scheduled review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — a trade pact Trump once championed but has since grown critical of.
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