U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that all trade negotiations with Canada have been terminated, following what he described as a fraudulent advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.
“Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Earlier this week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that the anti-tariff ad had caught Trump’s attention.
The advertisement showed Reagan, a Republican, criticizing tariffs on foreign goods and highlighting how they could lead to job losses and trade wars.
“I heard that the president saw our ad. I’m sure he wasn’t too happy,” Ford said on Tuesday.
Trump has frequently used tariffs as leverage in international trade, raising U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s.
He has regularly threatened additional duties, prompting 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 talks on various trade deals with Washington fail.
Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and autos earlier this year, prompting Ottawa to respond in kind.
The two sides have been in talks for weeks on a potential deal for the steel and aluminum sectors.
Next year, the U.S., Canada and Mexico are due to review their 2020 continental free-trade agreement.
