U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly terminated all trade negotiations with Canada, a critical ally, citing his anger over a Canadian advertisement that used former President Ronald Reagan to criticize his protectionist tariff policies.
The president announced the decision on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, calling the advertisement “outrageous.” The move marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations.
“From their outrageous behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated,” Trump stated on social media.
The advertisement at the center of the dispute featured images of Reagan, a Republican icon, speaking out against foreign tariffs. It argued that such measures lead to job losses and trade wars.
Earlier in the week, Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Canada, confirmed that the advertisement had displeased President Trump. “I heard the President saw our ad. I’m sure he’s not very happy,” Ford said.
This decision follows months of escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
Earlier this year, Trump imposed tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles imported from Canada. Canada swiftly retaliated with its own tariffs on various U.S. goods.
Both nations had been engaged in discussions for weeks, attempting to reach a resolution on the steel and aluminum duties.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized that Canada would not grant unfair market access to the U.S. if trade talks failed.
Trump has consistently used tariffs as a negotiating tool globally. His administration’s trade policies have pushed U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s.
His frequent threats of further tariffs have caused widespread concern among businesses and economists worldwide.
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are scheduled to review their North American trade pact next year. The latest tensions could significantly impact this crucial process.