US President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Canada yesterday after terminating trade talks over a Canadian political advertisement that used Republican icon Ronald Reagan saying tariffs cause trade wars and economic disaster.
Trump, who imposed import tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium and autos earlier this year, called the video ad fraudulent in a Truth Social post.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had removed most of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on US imports imposed by his predecessor, and the two sides have been in talks for weeks on a deal for the steel and aluminium sectors.
Yesterday, Trump accused Canada of trying to influence the US Supreme Court as it prepares to hear arguments next month over the legality of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs.
In an early morning Truth Social post he also said former President Reagan embraced tariffs, but Reagan was a free market and free trade proponent.
Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday said Canada stands ready to resume trade talks with the US.
Carney has tried on two White House visits since becoming prime minister to strike a deal to lower import tariffs on steel, aluminium and autos imposed by Trump that have hurt Canada’s economy.
“My colleagues have been working with their American colleagues on detailed constructive negotiations, discussions on specific sectors,” Carney said before departing Ottawa for his first official visit to Asia, where he aims to diversify trade ties away from the US.
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