US President Donald Trump has announced he is immediately ending all trade negotiations with Canada.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump condemned an advertisement featuring former US President Ronald Reagan that criticized tariffs, stating, Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.
The US president has already imposed a 35% levy on Canadian imports, though he has allowed exemptions under the USMCA trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.
Trump accused the Ontario government of using the ad to 'interfere with' the US Supreme Court ahead of a significant decision regarding the legality of his tariffs, which could compel the US to refund billions in collected tariffs.
The ad includes a narration by Reagan referencing the short-term benefits of tariffs while warning of their long-term detrimental consequences on the economy, which Trump claimed was misrepresented.
The Ronald Reagan Foundation noted that the Ontario government did not seek permission to use the footage and is reviewing its legal options.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has voiced strong opposition to US tariffs, stressing that the case against them will continue. He had previously threatened to cut off power supply to the US should tariffs escalate. The ad campaign promoting the anti-tariff message is part of a $75 million initiative across mainstream US channels.
Trump has enforced high tariffs across various sectors, leading to extensive economic strain in Canada, particularly within the automotive and steel industries, raising concerns about job losses and business viability.
China's embassy has also referenced similar Reagan footage to criticize Trump's tariffs, highlighting the broader international implications of such policies.
