Furious Over ‘Fake Advertisement’, Trump Cancels All Trade Talks with Canada — Sparks Diplomatic Uproar - Punjabi News

Published on: 24 Oct 2025 at 04:38 PM

Furious Over ‘Fake Advertisement’, Trump Cancels All Trade Talks with Canada — Sparks Diplomatic Uproar

Published by: Gill Bikram

Furious Over ‘Fake Advertisement’, Trump Cancels All Trade Talks with Canada — Sparks Diplomatic Uproar

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced on Thursday that he was terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, blaming the decision on a so-called “fake advertisement.” Trump accused Canada of misrepresenting a quote from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, calling it a deliberate attempt to influence American public opinion and the Supreme Court’s decisions.

The move came just days after what was described as a “cordial” meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House. Following that meeting, Trump had said Carney would “go back very happy.”

Trump’s Anger Over the ‘Fake Advertisement’

Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote:

“Canada has released a fake advertisement that falsely represents statements by President Ronald Reagan. This ad attempts to influence the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. Because of this shameful act, all trade talks with Canada are immediately terminated.”

The advertisement in question was reportedly produced by the Ontario provincial government and scheduled to air on U.S. television networks.

Reagan Foundation Responds

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation responded on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the Ontario government had “selectively edited audio and video from a 1987 radio address” delivered by Reagan. The foundation accused the ad makers of distorting Reagan’s words and announced that it was reviewing its legal options.

The ad portrayed Reagan as saying:

“High tariffs ultimately lead to retaliation by foreign countries and serious trade wars.”

While the quote does appear on the Reagan Presidential Library’s website, critics noted that the ad presented it out of context — implying Reagan’s disapproval of current U.S. trade policies.

Rising Strain in U.S.-Canada Relations

This controversy comes shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Carney, in his budget speech, remarked that “American trade policy has fundamentally changed, and Canada must reshape its economic strategy accordingly.”
Carney added that “the United States has raised its tariffs to the highest levels since the Great Depression. This is not a minor adjustment but an economic shock.” He acknowledged that adapting to the new reality would require “sacrifice and time” for Canada.

Economic Pressure Mounts

Trump’s global tariff strategy has already taken a toll on Canada — particularly in the steel, aluminum, and auto sectors. Thousands of jobs have been affected, and production costs have surged.
Despite the turmoil, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remains in effect, covering about 85% of cross-border trade tariff-free. Both nations are due to review the pact in 2026.

Upcoming International Meetings

Both leaders are scheduled to attend two major global summits in the coming days — the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia and the APEC Summit in South Korea.
Recently, Carney had expressed optimism that “significant progress” was being made in negotiations over steel and aluminum. Meanwhile, Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.4% in September, surpassing expectations. Analysts attribute the increase to the nation’s dependence on U.S. imports and rising food prices.

The sudden collapse of trade talks marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Ottawa — raising questions about the future of North American economic cooperation.