U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, citing a Government of Ontario television ad that uses Ronald Reagan’s 1987 remarks on tariffs. He announced the decision in a late-night Truth Social post.
The move injects fresh uncertainty into cross-border talks as both countries prepare for major summits and a U.S. Supreme Court review of tariff powers. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation says the ad “misrepresents” Reagan’s address and that Ontario did not seek permission; Ontario officials argue the excerpt is a public-domain clip.
Timeline (key dated events)
- Oct. 7, 2025: PM Mark Carney meets Trump at the White House; sector-by-sector discussions continue in Washington.
- Oct. 24, 2025 (evening): Reagan Foundation posts that Ontario’s ad “misrepresents” a 1987 radio address and lacked permission; says it’s “reviewing legal options.”
- Late Oct. 24, 2025: Trump posts that ads are “fake” and declares “ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
- Context: Canada’s PM has recently signalled export diversification amid tariff frictions; both leaders are slated to attend APEC.
What each side says
- Trump: Ontario “fraudulently used” an ad featuring Reagan; tariffs are “very important” to national security and the economy.
- Reagan Foundation: The ad “misrepresents” Reagan’s address; Ontario “did not seek nor receive permission” and legal options are being reviewed.
- Ontario’s view: The clip quotes Reagan’s public remarks and was aired widely in U.S. markets; officials contend the excerpt is from a public-domain address.
What’s at stake for Ontario and Canada
- Trade exposure: More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., underscoring the stakes for Ontario manufacturers and suppliers.
- Legal overlay: Trump’s post references a pending U.S. Supreme Court case on tariff authority, making messaging around tariffs unusually sensitive.
- Talks in limbo: Ottawa had been pursuing sectoral arrangements (steel, aluminum, energy). Trump’s statement clouds the path to any near-term deal.
What this means right now
Negotiations paused by the White House: Trump’s declaration signals a halt; formal notices or next steps from either government were not immediately available at publication time.
Ad controversy unresolved: The Foundation disputes permission and context; Ontario maintains the excerpt is permissible. This may shift to a legal dispute over usage.
FAQs
Is the advertisement itself illegal?
The Reagan Foundation disputes permission and says the clip “misrepresents” the address; Ontario officials say it uses a public-domain excerpt. No court ruling at this time.
Does this end CUSMA/USMCA?
No. The existing agreement remains in force. Trump’s statement targets ongoing negotiations, not the standing trade pact.
What happens next?
Watch for official statements from Ottawa and Queen’s Park, and updates tied to APEC meetings and the Supreme Court’s tariff case calendar.
Why is Ontario running ads in U.S. markets?
Ontario says the campaign aims to highlight tariff risks to American jobs and consumers; the buy includes major U.S. networks.
Key takeaways
- Trump says all trade talks with Canada are terminated, citing Ontario’s Reagan ad.
- Reagan Foundation says the ad “misrepresents” Reagan’s 1987 remarks and lacked permission.
- Ontario argues the excerpt is from a public-domain address; dispute may move to legal channels.
- The decision lands ahead of APEC and amid a Supreme Court tariff case, raising policy stakes.
