Washington DC (US), October 24, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly terminated all trade negotiations with Canada after publicly accusing Ottawa of producing a misleading advertisement aimed at influencing a forthcoming decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a series of posts on his social-media platform, Trump charged that a Canadian-funded video — featuring audio attributed to former President Ronald Reagan — misrepresented Reagan’s views on tariffs and was part of a calculated attempt to interfere in “one of the most important rulings in the history of our country.”
“CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!! They fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like tariffs, when actually he loved tariffs for our country and its national security,” Trump wrote.
According to Reuters, the ad was produced by Ontario’s government and used edited excerpts of Reagan’s 1987 radio address to suggest that tariffs are harmful — a presentation that Trump calls deceptive.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has also condemned the advertisement, stating that the remarks had been “misrepresented” and used without permission.
The announcement comes just weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the legality of Trump’s sweeping global tariff policy — a case that could reshape U.S. trade law.
In Ottawa’s defense, Canada says it remains committed to free and fair trade and insists the ad uses public-domain material. Ontario Premier Doug Ford backed the campaign, arguing that U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods hurt Canadian industries and workers
