- Reagan argued that tariffs ultimately harm American workers and consumers
- Trump condemned the advertisement as “FAKE” and “egregious,”
- His administration has imposed a 35% tariff on several Canadian imports
U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended all trade discussions with Canada following the release of an advertisement by Ontario’s provincial government criticizing his tariff policies.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the ad, which quoted former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, argued that tariffs ultimately harm American workers and consumers—a message that drew Trump’s fury.
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In a social media post, Trump condemned the advertisement as “FAKE” and “egregious,” declaring that trade talks were “HEREBY TERMINATED.”
His administration has imposed a 35% tariff on several Canadian imports, including targeted levies on the automobile and steel industries, which have significantly affected Ontario’s economy.
The controversial advert featured excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 address on trade, warning that protectionist measures can spark retaliatory trade wars and lead to economic decline.
Reagan’s Foundation later accused the Ontario government of using “selective” clips without permission and said it was reviewing possible legal action.
Trump cited the Foundation’s statement as proof that the advert was misleading and claimed it was part of an effort to influence the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on the legality of his wide-ranging tariff measures.
The court’s decision could determine whether Washington must refund billions collected under its trade policies.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a consistent critic of U.S. tariffs, defended the campaign, stating that the province would “never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada.” The $75 million (CAD) media push aired across major U.S. television networks, highlighting the province’s economic struggles due to Trump’s trade actions.
Trump doubled down on his stance, asserting that Reagan “loved tariffs for national security.” The dispute marks the second time this year Trump has halted trade talks with Canada, following an earlier clash over Ottawa’s proposed digital services tax on U.S. tech firms.
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