President Trump accused Canada of cheating and interfering in US legal matters, dramatically terminating all trade negotiations with the key ally. The president’s anger was directed at a new ad from Ontario.
“Canada cheated and got caught,” Trump wrote on social. He claimed the ad, which features Ronald Reagan , was a “fake” attempt to influence US supreme court hearings on his tariffs.
The ad, launched by Ontario premier Doug Ford, uses a 1987 clip of Reagan saying tariffs “hurt every American worker.” It was designed to build public opposition to the 35% tariffs on Canadian goods that have damaged Ontario’s economy.
Secretary of state Marco Rubio confirmed that discussions with Ottawa are now suspended. This decision further strains the relationship ahead of a planned review of the usmca trade deal.
The ad is also facing legal threats from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. The foundation said the “selective audio” misrepresents Reagan’s full speech and that no permission was given for its use.