Trump halts all trade talks with Canada

The sudden decision came after a television ad released by the government of Ontario, one of Canada’s provinces, which used the voice of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, a prominent Republican figure, to criticize trade tariffs.

Trump accused Canada of “disgraceful behavior,” claiming that the ad was “fake” and intended to influence decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts.

The U.S. president made these remarks on Thursday evening, October 23, 2025, in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

He wrote: “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has stated that Canada used a fake ad in which Ronald Reagan speaks negatively about tariffs. They did this only to interfere with decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts. Tariffs are crucial to the national security and economy of the United States. Based on this disgraceful behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby suspended.”

The dispute centers on trade tariffs that Trump imposed in August 2024 on Canadian goods — including a 35% tariff on steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber, and copper.

These tariffs are part of Trump’s “America First” policy, aimed at protecting domestic industries. However, critics argue that the measures are damaging to both economies.

Over 75% of Canada’s exports go to the United States, with about 3.6 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 2.7 billion U.S. dollars) in goods and services crossing the border daily.

In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday night that the close economic relationship between Ottawa and Washington has come to an end.

He announced that his government’s first budget will aim to reduce Canada’s economic and security dependence on the U.S.

While the U.S. has placed tariffs on Canada’s auto, steel, and aluminum sectors, Carney pledged to double Canadian exports to non-U.S. countries within the next decade, claiming the move would add 300 billion Canadian dollars to the nation’s revenues.