President Donald Trump is telling Canada to stick it.
Trump abruptly terminated “all trade negotiations” with Canada late Thursday, pointing to an advertisement that featured the voice of former President Ronald Reagan speaking out against U.S. tariffs. Trump, who described the video as “fake,” accused Canada of “fraud” and attempting to “interfere” with a case at the Supreme Court.
“CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “They fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.”
In a separate post, Trump added that “THE STOCK MARKET IS STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE BECAUSE OF TARIFFS!”
His sudden move came as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute alleged hours earlier that Ontario’s government had “used selective audio and video” of Reagan’s presidential radio address on April 25, 1987, in which he discussed free and fair trade. The foundation also said the advertisement “misrepresents” his words and the government “did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”
“The Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute is reviewing its legal options in this matter,” the nonprofit wrote on X.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted the ad on X last week, which depicts Reagan saying “When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes for a short while it works, but only for a short time.”
He continued in the ad: “But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens: markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs.”
The foundation, which encouraged viewers to watch the address on its YouTube channel, shows Reagan saying the same quotes featured in the ad — but in different parts of his address.
A number of critics of Trump had pointed to the exact words on social media.
“This is just embarrassing,” former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney posted on X, adding, “Everything that Reagan said in his pro free trade April, 1987 radio message is consistent with the ad. In fact, everything he ever said about trade, before and after becoming President, is consistent with his principled opposition to tariffs.”
MeidasTouch, a progressive network, said that “The Reagan Foundation is lying for Trump.”
“Reagan must be rolling in his grave over how they are trying to cover-up his legacy and true beliefs,” the account continued. “Here’s the clip. Judge for yourself.”
Another popular internet personality wrote that Trump is “having a temper tantrum,” describing the president as “butthurt.”
In a post on X on Friday, Ford called Canada and the United States “friends, neighbours and allies.”
“President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together. God bless Canada and God bless the United States,” Ford said, attaching a link to the address from the Reagan’s presidential library.
Trump’s halt of trade talks with Canada is not the first time he has implemented a pause. In June, he announced he was “terminating ALL discussions on trade with Canada” over tariffs on dairy products and American technology companies.
Last year, Canada was the third-largest source of U.S. imports and has been one of the top two trading partners for the United States.
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