Trump Terminates All Trade Talks with Canada Over Controversial Reagan Advertisement

In a swift and unexpected move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on October 23, 2025, that he was terminating all trade negotiations with Canada. The decision came after the Ontario government aired a television advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump condemned the ad as “fraudulent,” alleging that it misused Reagan’s image and message to influence U.S. legal proceedings.

The advertisement, which aired in major U.S. markets, showcased Reagan’s 1987 national radio address in which he opposed tariffs, suggesting they could lead to job losses and trade wars. Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed that the ad had caught the president’s attention. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation also expressed concern, stating that the ad used selective audio and video from Reagan’s speech without permission and was considering legal action

In response, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” He further accused Canada of attempting to interfere with U.S. court decisions through the advertisement

The termination of trade talks marks a significant escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. Earlier this year, Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobiles, prompting retaliatory measures from Ottawa. Both nations had been engaged in negotiations to address these issues, but the recent developments have cast uncertainty over the future of their trade relations

Canadian officials have yet to issue an official response, but Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former central banker, has previously criticized U.S. tariffs and emphasized the importance of the trade relationship between the two countries. Carney is expected to meet with Trump at upcoming international summits in Asia, where the trade dispute may be a topic of discussion