In a recent development, U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to halt trade negotiations with Canada following an Ontario government advertisement that utilizes former U.S. president Ronald Reagan’s statements to convey an anti-tariff message to an American audience. This decision by Trump has caught the Carney government off guard, as sources reveal that Trump’s reaction to the ad is genuine rather than a strategic negotiating tactic.
The trade discussions between the two countries have been tumultuous, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford taking a more confrontational approach compared to federal counterparts and directly appealing to Americans. The timeline leading up to Trump’s decision includes the launch of a $75 million ad campaign by the Ontario government featuring Reagan’s views on tariffs, positive momentum in trade talks, and reports of a potential deal to ease sectoral tariffs between Canada and the U.S.
Trump’s abrupt termination of negotiations came after he mentioned seeing the Reagan ad, attributing it to Canada, and expressing dissatisfaction. Subsequently, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute criticized the ad for misrepresenting Reagan’s address. Despite the controversy, both Ford and Carney emphasized the importance of constructive negotiations and readiness to resume talks when the time is right.
As the situation unfolds, Ford announced that the ad campaign will be paused to allow for the resumption of trade discussions. The ad, which gained significant attention, will cease airing after the weekend but has already achieved its goal of reaching American audiences. The ongoing trade saga between Canada and the U.S. continues as leaders prepare to attend international summits in the coming days.