Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that trade talks with Canada have been terminated following an advert by Ontario that criticised the tariffs imposed by Washington.
The advert, part of a $75mn (£40mn) Canadian campaign, quoted former President Ronald Reagan, highlighting how tariffs can harm American workers and consumers.
Trump’s administration has implemented a 35 percent levy on multiple Canadian imports, with additional sector-specific tariffs targeting automobiles and steel. Some goods under the free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada have been exempted.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to negotiate relief from these levies, but efforts have been complicated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has strongly opposed the US tariffs.
The Ontario advert used excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade, rearranging portions of the speech without seeking permission from the Ronald Reagan Foundation. The foundation said that the video ‘misrepresents’ Reagan’s address and is reviewing legal options.
Trump’s levies, including a 50 percent tariff on metals and 25 percent on automobiles, have significantly affected Canada’s largest province, causing job losses and economic pressure on businesses. Ford has previously threatened to cut power supply to the US in response and has continued to challenge the trade restrictions.
This is the second occasion Trump has announced a halt to negotiations after Canada introduced a digital services tax on US technology companies, which Ottawa later rescinded. The move has further strained US-Canada trade relations and underscores the tensions surrounding Washington’s global tariff policies.
The termination of trade talks has highlighted ongoing disputes over protectionism, with both governments navigating economic and political pressures. Trump ends trade talks with Canada amid growing scrutiny over the impact of tariffs on North American commerce and domestic industries.
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