President Donald Trump announced on Thursday the immediate termination of trade negotiations with Canada, accusing the country of attempting to influence an upcoming Supreme Court case regarding the legality of his “reciprocal” tariffs. This declaration was made on Truth Social following the airing of a controversial advertisement by Ontario, featuring comments from former President Ronald Reagan.
In his post, Trump claimed that the advertisement, which Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared on social media, was designed to sway the Supreme Court’s decision. The high court is set to hear oral arguments on November 5 concerning legal challenges related to Trump’s tariffs, which are pivotal to his foreign and economic policy strategies.
The Ontario ad highlights Reagan’s remarks that tariffs, while initially appearing beneficial to American industries, ultimately harm workers and consumers in the long run. It features excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 radio address, warning against protectionist measures and advocating for global competition as the path to prosperity. The ad was strategically aired during the American League Championship Series, drawing an audience of over nine million viewers.
The Reagan Presidential Foundation condemned the use of Reagan’s words, stating that the ad misrepresents his views and affirming that permission for their use was never granted. The foundation is currently exploring its legal options regarding this matter.
Canada remains a vital trade partner for the United States, being the third largest source of imports last year with over $410 billion in goods. Various American industries, particularly the automotive sector, rely heavily on Canadian supply chains, although the Trump administration has been urging U.S. automakers to minimize cross-border operations.
This recent termination follows Trump’s previous announcement in June when he abruptly halted trade talks, citing grievances related to the treatment of U.S. technology companies and dairy farmers. In retaliation, Canada imposed quotas on steel. However, a brief thaw in relations occurred when Canada, in a bid to appease the Trump administration, announced the lifting of its digital services tax targeting major U.S. firms.
Despite moments of cordiality highlighted by Trump’s comments about the “mutual love” between the two nations during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, tensions remain. Trump reiterated the importance of balancing trade interests between the two countries, emphasizing that while he wants Canada to thrive, U.S. business interests must also be protected.