UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced the termination of all trade negotiations with Canada, citing an anti-tariff advertisement from the province of Ontario that controversially features the voice of late President Ronald Reagan. This decision, made late Thursday, escalates tensions between the U.S. and its northern neighbor, which is the second-largest trading partner for the United States.
The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he declared, “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” This statement follows the release of an Ontario ad that incorporates clips from Reagan’s 1987 radio address, claiming that tariffs ultimately “hurt every American worker and consumer.”
Trump’s comments reference the Ronald Reagan Foundation, which criticized the ad for using “selective audio” and misrepresenting Reagan’s message. The foundation has indicated it did not grant permission for the use of Reagan’s excerpts and is “reviewing its legal options in this matter.” The former president described the Ontario advertisement as “FAKE,” alleging it is a ploy to meddle with a pending case in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding his tariff strategy.
Trade relations between the U.S. and Canada have been rocky, particularly following Trump’s imposition of higher tariffs earlier this year, which he justified by accusing Canada of inadequate measures against drug trafficking and migration. In 2022, the U.S. imported $412.7 billion worth of goods from Canada while exporting $349.4 billion in return. However, Trump raised tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% over the summer, leading to retaliatory actions from Canada.
Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced efforts to increase exports to countries outside the U.S., citing uncertainty caused by American tariffs. Despite these growing tensions, Carney had previously visited the White House in search of a resolution.
As the situation unfolds, experts are closely monitoring how this breakdown in negotiations will affect both economies. The implications could be significant, especially for industries reliant on cross-border trade. With both nations yet to reach an agreement, the outlook remains precarious.
This developing story is expected to evolve rapidly. Stay tuned for more updates as authorities respond and further details emerge.
