Ontario's Reagan ad reignited US-Canada trade tensions, prompting Trump to abruptly end negotiations
United States-Canada trade relations took another sharp turn after President Donald Trump abruptly called off all negotiations with Ottawa, citing a controversial Ontario government ad that used Ronald Reagan’s words to denounce tariffs.
The move, announced late Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social platform, left officials on both sides scrambling and industry leaders questioning the future of cross-border commerce.
“Tariffs are very important to the national security, and economy, of the U.S.A.,” Trump said. “Based on their egregious behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated.”
He accused Canada of “cheating” and claimed the Ontario ad “fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like tariffs, when actually he loved tariffs for our country, and its national security.”
Trump further asserted, “Canada has long cheated on tariffs, charging our farmers as much as 400 per cent. Now they, and other countries, can’t take advantage of the U.S. any longer.”
The ad in question, funded by Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government, features a minute-long excerpt from Reagan’s 1987 radio address warning of the dangers of protectionism: “High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens. Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industry shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs.”
The spot aired widely, including during a high-profile baseball playoff broadcast, reaching millions of American viewers.
The Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute criticized the ad, stating it “misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”
The institute said it was “reviewing its legal options in this matter.”
Listen to President Reagan's unedited remarks here: https://t.co/1gQUcbR4eZ pic.twitter.com/iqmjSuypp0
— Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute (@RonaldReagan) October 24, 2025
Ontario’s government defended its campaign, with a spokesperson stating, “The commercial uses an unedited excerpt from one of President Reagan’s public addresses, which is available through public domain. Reagan knew and spoke directly to Americans that tariffs hurt the U.S. economy, workers and families. He was a strong supporter of free and fair trade between Canada and America.”
Trade talks had been progressing in Washington following a recent meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump. The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next month on Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Canada and other countries—a case now further complicated by the latest diplomatic fallout.
Trump’s decision marks the latest in a series of escalations over trade policy between the two countries. In recent years, both sides have imposed and rescinded tariffs on key sectors, including steel, aluminum, and digital services, often in response to political flashpoints.
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