Overview:
On Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had terminated trade negotiations with Canada — marking a new low in relations between the two long-time allies. The decision followed the release of an anti-tariff ad from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, filmed and produced in Toronto, featuring the voice of the late Ronald Reagan. Even the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute have voiced objections to the ad’s use of Reagan’s words.
By William Barber | Presence News
Any hopes for a renewed trade agreement between the United States and Canada have evaporated.
Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that all trade negotiations with Canada had been terminated — ending what had been a rocky series of talks between the two nations.
The Ad That Lit the Fuse
For Trump, the breaking point came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted an anti-tariff ad on X last week. The ad, which was produced in Toronto, featured the voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, taken from a 1987 radio address. The video quickly went viral across Canadian and U.S. social media platforms, reigniting long-standing trade tensions.
The Words of Ronald Reagan
The ad uses excerpts from Reagan’s radio address on free and fair trade, set against visuals of American workplaces and landscapes.
A notable line from Reagan’s original address reads:
“When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short while, it works — but only for a short time.”
Fiery Trump Response
President Trump responded swiftly on Truth Social, labeling the ad as “FAKE” and announcing the end of U.S.–Canada trade negotiations.
He wrote:
“TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
Is Canada Trying to Interfere with the U.S. Supreme Court?
Trump further alleged that the Canadian government’s ad campaign was intended to “interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts.”
A pending Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump’s tariffs could have major implications for his broader economic strategy.
Did the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute Agree to This?
In a statement posted on X, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute clarified that:
“The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”
The Foundation also stated it is currently “reviewing its legal options in this matter.”
Canada’s Backtracking of the United States
Trump’s announcement came just one day after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Toronto, declared that Canada was aiming to double its non-U.S. exports.
According to Euronews, Carney said:
“The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression.”
What Does This Mean for the Future of U.S.–Canada Relations?
The latest dispute signals a deep fracture in the historically strong U.S.–Canada partnership. However, given how quickly trade dynamics can shift, the situation could still evolve.
One thing is certain — neither President Trump nor the Reagan Foundation took kindly to Toronto-based Premier Doug Ford’s anti-tariff post.
Sources:
- Politico – Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over “Fake” Reagan Ad
- CNN – Trump Ends Trade Negotiations with Canada
- CNBC – Trump Cancels Canada Trade Talks After Reagan Ad
- Doug Ford on X (Ontario Premier)
- Ronald Reagan’s “Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade” (April 25, 1987)
- Donald Trump on Truth Social
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation on X
- Euronews – Canada Will Double Non-U.S. Exports Amid Trump Trade Tariffs
Editor’s Note
This article was submitted by Presence News contributor William Barber. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of Presence News.
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