Donald Trump has claimed he is terminating all trade talks with Canada after he became aware of an Ontario TV ad that condemned his controversial tariffs.
The US and Canada are closely tied in trade, and have been so for a considerable time.
However, the two neighboring nations have been at odds with one another following Trump’s announcement earlier this year that he would be implementing tariffs on nations, including many of the US’ allies.
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This has resulted in constant and ongoing talks in hopes that both countries can come to agreeable resolutions for trade between both parties.
But on October 23, Trump announced that the US would be terminating trade talks with Canada after he became aware of a TV advert that spoke ill of US-imposed tariffs.
The Ontario ad shows different people across the US going about their work in factories, shops and farming, while a speech from former President Ronald Reagan plays over the footage.
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The Reagan speech is from an April 25, 1987, radio address to the US on free and fair trade, and has actually been edited together differently than how he read it.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs.
“The ad was for $75,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the US Supreme Court, and other courts. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has said that Ontario’s government used ‘selective audio and video’ without permission, and that it is now considering legal options.
While the ad had edited different sentences together to create a shorter, coherent message, the sentiment from the speech overall remains the same.
In the advert, the voice of Reagan said: “When someone says, 'Let's impose tariffs on foreign imports', it looks like they're doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes for a short while it works -- but only for a short time.
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"Over the long run such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.
"Then the worst happens: Markets shrink and collapse; businesses and industries shut down; and millions of people lose their jobs.
"Throughout the world there's a growing realization that the way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition. America's jobs and growth are at stake."
The full speech transcript is available on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Museum website.
Topics: News, US News, Donald Trump, Politics, Canada
Gerrard Kaonga