Trump Announces All Trade Negotiations with Canadian Government 'Concluded' Following Advertisement Targeting Import Duties
Donald Trump has stated he is halting "every commercial discussion" with the Canadian government after the release of a TV commercial criticizing US tariffs. President Trump alleged Canada of "egregious behavior" aimed at influencing US court decisions.
Online Post and Canadian Reaction
The Thursday night message on the president's online platform followed Canadian prime minister the prime minister stated his goal is to double his nation's overseas sales to nations beyond the United States due to the risk caused by Trump’s tariffs.
Trump posted: "The Ronald Reagan Foundation recently declared that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, that is deceptive, featuring the former president commenting unfavorably about tariffs."
The president wrote: "They only did this to disrupt the decision of America's highest court, along with other judicial bodies". He added: "Tariffs are very important to US security, and economy, of the USA. Based on this unacceptable conduct, every commercial talk with Canada are hereby terminated."
The prime minister's team didn’t immediately respond to a media inquiry Thursday night.
Presidential Institute Announcement and Juridical Examination
Earlier on Thursday, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation + Institute announced via social media that the ad produced by the government of Ontario "misrepresents the 'Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade' dated 1987." It added that Ontario was not granted approval from the institute "for using and altering the speech."
The foundation stated it is "reviewing legal options in this matter" and invited viewers to view the unedited video of Reagan’s address.
Context on Commercial Ties and Recent Developments
Carney met Trump in recent weeks to attempt to reduce commercial friction as the two countries and Mexico get ready for a review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal Trump negotiated in his first term, but has since soured on.
More than three-quarters of Canadian exports are destined for the US, and approximately C$3.6bn worth of products and services cross the border daily.
In his own post on social media recently, Ontario's premier, the provincial leader, shared a URL to the ad and this comment: "It’s official: Ontario’s new advertising campaign across the United States is now live."
Ford added, "Using every tool we have, we will continue advocating against US import taxes on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together."
