Trump Terminates Canada Trade Talks Over $75M ‘Fake Reagan’ Ad Campaign
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is shutting down all trade negotiations with Canada, accusing Ontario’s government of launching a multimillion-dollar ad campaign designed to interfere with U.S. politics and misusing the voice of President Ronald Reagan.
At the center of the controversy is a $75 million anti-tariff ad campaign rolled out by Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government. The ad, which aired during the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners playoff game and is scheduled to appear nationwide during the World Series, features audio of Reagan warning about the dangers of tariffs — but it was edited, and no permission was granted to use the late president’s remarks.
It’s official: Ontario’s new advertising campaign in the U.S. has launched.
Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together.
Watch our new ad. pic.twitter.com/SgIVC1cqMJ
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 16, 2025
“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts… Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
The Reagan Presidential Foundation confirmed it was considering legal action, saying Ontario “misrepresented” the original 1987 radio address and “did not seek or receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”
In the ad, Reagan’s voice warns:
“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 industry shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs.”
Ontario officials pushed back, arguing the clip was in the public domain and accurately represented Reagan’s free trade principles. A spokesman for Premier Ford said:
“Reagan knew and spoke directly to Americans that tariffs hurt the U.S. economy, workers and families. He was a strong supporter of free and fair trade between Canada and America.”
But Trump viewed the ad as an intentional slight, particularly as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on his signature tariff policies on November 5. He reiterated that tariffs are essential to national prosperity.
“THE UNITED STATES IS WEALTHY, POWERFUL, AND NATIONALLY SECURE AGAIN, ALL BECAUSE OF TARIFFS! THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE EVER IS IN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT,” Trump wrote on Friday.
This is the latest in a string of hardline trade stances from Trump as he moves to reassert control over American manufacturing and foreign trade deals. With the Blue Jays now set to face the Dodgers in the World Series, the ad controversy could get even more attention as millions of Americans tune in.
For now, Trump’s message to Canada is clear: Trade talks are off the table — and the Reagan legacy is not for sale.