WASHINGTON : U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was terminating all trade negotiations with Canada after accusing Ottawa of releasing a “fraudulent announcement” featuring former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.
The move escalates tensions between Washington and Ottawa, already strained after Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles earlier this year. Canada retaliated with duties of its own, and both sides have spent weeks negotiating a possible deal for the metals sector.
“Given their behaviour, all trade negotiations with Canada have been terminated,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
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The controversy stems from an announcement issued by Ontario’s government earlier this week that included video and audio clips of Reagan denouncing tariffs as job killers and drivers of trade wars. Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the message drew Trump’s attention, saying on Tuesday, “I heard the President heard our announcement. I’m sure he wasn’t too happy about it.”
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation said the Ontario campaign “used selective audio and visual recordings” and distorted Reagan’s 1987 presidential radio address. The Foundation said it was reviewing legal options, adding that Ontario officials had not sought or obtained permission to use or modify the material.
The Canadian federal government has yet to comment on Trump’s announcement.
Trump has led a protectionist push that has driven U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters that Ottawa “will not allow the United States unfair access to our markets” if talks fail to yield balanced agreements.
The United States, Canada and Mexico are due to review the 2020 continental free trade pact next year, a process now clouded by growing uncertainty over cross-border relations.
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