United States President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that all trade negotiations with Canada have been terminated after a controversial advertisement featuring late U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs caught his attention. Trump called the ad “fraudulent” and accused Canada of “egregious behavior,” declaring on Truth Social that talks were officially over.
The dispute began after Ontario released an anti-tariff ad using selective clips from Reagan’s 1987 radio address to oppose U.S. trade policies. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation condemned the ad, saying it was edited without permission and misrepresented Reagan’s words.
The decision follows months of tensions between Washington and Ottawa over tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos. Trump’s administration had imposed duties earlier this year, prompting Canada to retaliate with its own measures.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed the ad had “caught Trump’s attention,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded that Canada “will not allow unfair U.S. access” to its markets if trade talks fail.
The breakdown in discussions raises concerns ahead of the scheduled 2026 review of the US–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), potentially destabilizing North American trade relations.
