Trump Halts Trade Talks With Canada Over Ontario Ad Quoting Former US President Reagan On Tariffs

United States President Donald Trump announced late Thursday (23 October) that he is ending all trade negotiations with Canada, citing a television advertisement opposing US tariffs that he characterised as "egregious behaviour" aimed at influencing court decisions.

The advertisement, produced by the Canadian province of Ontario, features excerpts from a 1987 radio address by former President Ronald Reagan speaking about the negative effects of tariffs.

Trump accused Canada of attempting to interfere with an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case examining the legality of his reciprocal tariff strategy.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford had announced plans to spend $75 million on advertisements featuring Reagan's criticism of tariffs across American television markets.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation responded, stating the advertisement used "selective audio and video" that misrepresented Reagan's original address.

The announcement followed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's statement on Wednesday (22 October) that Canada aims to double its non-US exports within the next decade, declaring that Canadians "can't rely on one foreign partner".

Carney described how American tariffs are causing investment uncertainty, with workers in sectors including autos, steel and lumber facing job threats. More than 75 per cent of Canada's exports currently go to the United States, with nearly $3.6 billion Canadian worth of goods crossing the border daily.

Trade tensions with Canada rose after Trump imposed tariffs on most Canadian goods earlier this year. Canada imposed retaliatory levies in April, though some automotive exemptions were granted.

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