Trump Ends Trade Talks With Canada Over ‘Fake’ Reagan Ad

In a move that stunned even close observers of US-Canada relations, President Donald Trump announced the termination of all trade talks with Canada, accusing Ottawa of airing a “fraudulent” TV advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan.

“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs,” Trump wrote late Thursday on Truth Social.

“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”

The ad, reportedly produced by the Ontario government, used edited clips from Reagan’s 1987 radio address on “Free and Fair Trade,” a move the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute condemned, saying the footage was altered and used without permission.

The foundation said the video “misrepresents the ‘Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade’ dated April 25, 1987,” and added that it was “reviewing legal options.”

Ontario Pushes Back

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford appeared unfazed, saying earlier this week that the ad had clearly “caught the president’s attention.”

“I heard that the president heard our ad. I’m sure he wasn’t too happy,” Ford said Tuesday.

In a social media post, Ford shared the video and wrote:

“Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together.”

Trade War Escalation

Trump’s move comes after months of tariff skirmishes and rising frustration in Ottawa. Earlier this year, Washington imposed new tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium, and autos, prompting Canada to retaliate with its own measures.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently vowed to double exports to non-US markets, citing the uncertainty caused by Trump’s trade policies.

“We will not allow unfair US access to our markets if these talks fail,” Carney said.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to Trump’s statement ending negotiations.

With over 75% of Canadian exports still bound for the United States, and C$3.6 billion ($2.7bn) in goods and services crossing the border daily, the fallout could be severe.

What began as a spat over a $75,000 ad now threatens to reopen a full-blown trade war.