Trump freezes trade talks with Canada over Reagan ad

US President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of trade negotiations with Canada in response to an anti-tariff ad campaign using the voice of Ronald Reagan, which was launched by the province of Ontario. He wrote about this in the social network Truth Social.

"The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs. The ad was for $75,000,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED." he said.

The Financial Times writes that the ad campaign was initiated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has been actively criticizing Trump's tariffs.

The ad uses a radio address by former President Ronald Reagan from 1987, where he describes such duties as harmful to the American economy in the long run.

Nothing "fake" about this ad. That's Reagan's real voice opposing tariffs and trade wars. https://t.co/4Lo1aA7BZx pic.twitter.com/38QN5mSJmz

- Republicans Against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 24, 2025

"When someone says, ``Let's impose tariffs on foreign imports,'' it looks like they're doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes for a short while it works -- but only for a short time. Over the long run such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. 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 industries shut down; and millions of people lose their jobs. Throughout the world there's a growing realization that the way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition. America's jobs and growth are at stake" the ad says.

These are Reagan's real words.

• In August 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the real customs rate on Canadian goods is 5.6% compared to the average rate of 16% for the rest of the world. This is the lowest rate among all US trading partners. "Canada now has the best trade conditions with the United States. They're not what they used to be, but they're still better than any other country," he said.
• However, for Ontario, the duties are a serious problem. The province's automotive industry has been particularly affected, facing plant closures and massive layoffs due to Trump's calls for automakers to return to the U.S.