US President Donald Trump announced the suspension of all trade negotiations with Canada on Thursday, accusing the country of running a fraudulent advertisement that featured former president Ronald Reagan criticising tariffs.
He declared in a post on Truth Social, “Based on their egregious behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated.”
The controversy stems from an advertisement that resurfaced this week, showing Reagan warning that tariffs on foreign goods could lead to job losses and trade wars. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the ad- which carried a strong anti-tariff message- had drawn Trump’s ire.
Ford commented on Tuesday, “I heard that the president heard our ad. I’m sure he wasn’t too happy.”
Throughout his presidency, Trump has relied heavily on tariffs as a negotiation tool, targeting multiple countries in an effort to secure trade advantages. His policies have driven US tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s, raising alarm among global markets, economists, and businesses.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reacted firmly to Trump’s announcement, stating Ottawa will not allow unfair US access to its markets if trade discussions collapse.
Earlier this year, Trump’s administration imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobile imports, leading Canada to retaliate with similar measures. The two nations had been negotiating in recent weeks to reach a deal focused on the steel and aluminum sectors.
The decision comes ahead of next year’s scheduled review of the 2020 US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which could further test trade relations between Washington and Ottawa.
