US President Donald Trump has announced the termination of all trade negotiations with Canada. In a post on Truth Social, Trump cited an advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan that criticized tariffs as the impetus for his decision. He stated, “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
The announcement follows Trump’s imposition of a 35% levy on Canadian imports, although certain exemptions exist under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump negotiated during his first term. Trump characterized the Ontario government’s video as an attempt to influence an upcoming US Supreme Court decision regarding the legality of his global tariffs, which could potentially mandate the US to reimburse billions in tariff revenues.
The advertisement included audio of Reagan’s 1987 radio address about foreign trade, where he articulated concerns about the long-term impacts of tariffs, suggesting they could harm American workers and trigger trade wars. The Ronald Reagan Foundation condemned the Ontario government’s use of Reagan’s comments, asserting that it misrepresented his perspective and that permission to use and modify the content was not granted. The foundation is reportedly considering legal options in response.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has publicly opposed US tariffs, reiterated in a statement that Canada will continue to advocate against American tariffs. Ontario has faced significant challenges due to these tariffs, especially in the automotive and steel sectors. Ford previously suggested drastic measures, such as cutting off electricity to the US, in response to tariff threats.
The video advertisement is part of a broader $75 million Canadian campaign aimed at US audiences, emphasizing opposition to Trump’s trade policies, which have resulted in substantial economic impacts on Canada.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjrlmd4pmeo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss