US President Donald Trump said on Thursday night (24) that all trade negotiations with Canada were terminated after he accused the country of using “fraudulent propaganda” with an alleged ad from former president Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs.
Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles earlier this year, prompting Ottawa to respond in kind. About a possible agreement for the steel and aluminum sectors.
“Based on his egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE TERMINATED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said earlier this week that his province’s announcement with anti-tariff messaging caught Trump’s attention.
The ad showed Reagan, a Republican, criticizing tariffs on foreign goods while saying they caused job losses and trade wars.
“I heard the president heard our announcement. I’m sure he wasn’t very happy,” Ford said Tuesday.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation issued a statement Thursday night saying the Ontario government’s announcement was “using selective audio and video” of Reagan and that the foundation was reviewing its legal options.
“The ad misrepresents (Reagan’s 1987) Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario neither requested nor received permission to use and edit the comments,” the foundation said in its statement.
The Canadian government did not immediately comment.
Trump has used tariffs as leverage against many countries around the world.
Trump’s trade war has raised U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s, and he has regularly threatened to impose more tariffs, raising concerns among businesses and economists.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on Thursday that Canada will not allow unfair U.S. access to its markets if negotiations on several trade deals with Washington fail.
Next year, the US, Canada and Mexico are expected to review their 2020 continental free trade agreement.
