A long-simmering dispute over tariffs has boiled over, with president Trump halting all trade talks with Canada. The immediate cause was a Canadian ad featuring Ronald Reagan .
The ad, from the province of Ontario, used a 1987 clip of Reagan warning against protectionism to criticize US tariffs. Trump reacted angrily, calling the ad “fake” and “fraudulent.”
He accused Canada of “egregious behavior” and attempting to meddle in US legal affairs. This move comes as the US tariffs on Canadian steel, timber, and cars stand at 35%, hurting Ontario’s economy.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment at the tariff hikes and the halt in talks. He vowed to continue negotiating and to diversify Canada’s export markets away from its reliance on the US.
The ad’s use of Reagan’s speech is also controversial. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation said it “misrepresents” his comments, which were made in the context of imposing tariffs on Japan, and that legal action is being considered.
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