Trump terminates Canada trade talks over disputed Reagan ad

US President Donald Trump has abruptly ended all trade negotiations with Canada, citing what he called a "fraudulent" advertisement featuring manipulated audio of former President Ronald Reagan. The controversial ad reportedly used edited remarks from Reagan to criticize tariff policies.
US President Donald Trump declared an immediate end to all trade discussions with Canada on Thursday, accusing the Canadian government of using a manipulated video featuring Ronald Reagan's voice to influence American trade policy. Through his Truth Social platform, Trump announced the termination following allegations that Ontario authorities created an advertisement that selectively edited Reagan's 1987 trade remarks.
The Reagan Foundation's Response
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute confirmed it had not authorized the Canadian advertisement, which used excerpts from Reagan's "Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade" from April 25, 1987. The foundation stated the ad misrepresented the late president's original message and that it is currently exploring legal options in response to the unauthorized use of Reagan's likeness and voice.
Trump's National Security Justification
President Trump defended his decision by emphasizing the importance of tariffs to US national security and economic interests. He characterized Canada's actions as "egregious behavior" that warranted the complete cessation of trade negotiations between the two neighboring countries. Trump also suggested the $75,000 advertisement campaign aimed to improperly influence American judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court.
Broader Trade Implications
This dramatic move represents a significant escalation in US-Canada trade relations, which have experienced ongoing tensions throughout Trump's administration. The termination of negotiations marks the latest development in a series of trade disputes between the two nations, though previous disagreements have typically involved more conventional economic matters rather than allegations of historical figure manipulation.
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