President Donald Trump’s “termination” of all trade talks with Canada follows a row over what he called a “fake” and “fraudulent” ad from Ontario.
The ad featured a 1987 clip of Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump, on truth social, accused Canada of “egregious behavior” and interference in US court cases.
The ad was a protest against 35% US tariffs on Canadian goods. Ontario, led by premier Doug Ford, has been “particularly badly hit” by these levies.
The ad’s use of the speech has also been contested by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. They stated the “selective audio” “misrepresents” the full speech.
The suspension of talks, confirmed by secretary of state Marco Rubio, throws the c$3.6 billion daily trade relationship into chaos.