Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that Canada is prepared to resume trade negotiations with the United States “when the Americans are ready.”
His remarks follow US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an immediate cessation of all trade talks with Canada, triggered by an advertisement critical of the tariffs imposed on the nation.
The advertisement, sponsored by the Canadian province of Ontario, features a quote from former US President Ronald Reagan, a Republican and icon of US conservatism, stating that tariffs “hurt every American.”
President Trump responded on social media, labeling the advertisement “FAKE” and “egregious,” and declaring that trade talks were “HEREBY TERMINATED.”
The Trump administration has implemented a 35% levy on numerous Canadian imports, alongside individual tariffs targeting specific industries, including automotive and steel manufacturing. Ontario has been particularly affected by these measures.
President Trump has granted exemptions for goods covered under a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, negotiated during his first term.
Since his election earlier this year, Prime Minister Carney has sought to secure a deal that would alleviate the tariffs. With three-quarters of Canadian exports destined for the US, the Canadian economy is particularly vulnerable.
This effort has been complicated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a prominent critic of the taxes levied on US firms purchasing Canadian products.
The minute-long advertisement, released last week, features President Reagan’s voice narrating over images that include the New York Stock Exchange and cranes displaying both US and Canadian flags.
The video excerpts are taken from a 1987 national radio address by President Reagan, focusing on foreign trade.
“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,” President Reagan states in the advertisement.
“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… Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs.”
The Ronald Reagan Foundation, responsible for preserving his legacy, issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that the advertisement utilized “selective” audio and video of the former president’s remarks.
The foundation stated that the advertisement “misrepresents” the former president’s address, without specifying the reasons, and accused the Ontario government of not seeking permission to use and edit the remarks.
The foundation indicated that it was “reviewing its legal options.”
President Trump referenced this statement, alleging that the video was designed to “interfere with” the US Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in November regarding the legality of Washington’s sweeping tariffs on many nations’ products.
The court’s decision represents a significant test of President Trump’s presidential authority and signature economic policy, potentially requiring the US to refund billions collected in tariffs.
Prime Minister Carney did not address the advertisement in his remarks early on Friday. He stated that Canada has made “a lot of progress” in trade negotiations with the US, while also focusing on “developing new partnerships” with other countries, including those in Asia.
He spoke as he was departing Canada for the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. President Trump is also expected to attend.
Premier Ford, meanwhile, posted the full Reagan speech on X, writing: “Canada and the United States are friends, neighbors and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together.”
While it only includes excerpts from the original, five-minute-long address, it does not alter President Reagan’s words.
The order in which he makes the comments has been changed. The advert’s penultimate sentence is taken from near the beginning of his speech, and a phrase that features about halfway through the advert is likewise taken from an earlier point in the address.
The original address, titled “Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade,” pertains to a specific set of tariffs imposed by the Reagan administration on certain Japanese goods at the time.
President Reagan seeks to use the speech to explain why he introduced the tariffs in this “special case,” despite his belief that “imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loath to take.”
He clarifies his intention to lift them as soon as possible “to promote the prosperity and economic development that only free trade can bring,” a position he emphasizes throughout the speech.
President Trump later reiterated his criticism of the advertisement, writing that “Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.”
Speaking to White House reporters on Friday morning, US National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett stated that “frustration has built up over time” with Canada.
“The Canadians have been very difficult,” he said.
A few minutes earlier, he told Fox Business that “sometimes when you’re frustrated, a time-out is the right call.”
“It’s probably a good time to take a break.”
The advertisement was run as part of a campaign worth $75m Canadian dollars (£40m; $54m) on mainstream TV channels in the US.
In a post accompanying the advertisement last week, Premier Ford wrote that “we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada.”
China’s embassy in Washington also used a similar Reagan clip in a post on X to cast doubt on President Trump’s global tariffs earlier this year.
Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and its largest regional economy, and has suffered the most as a result of the US tariffs.
Premier Ford hit back at President Trump’s earlier tariff threat against Canada by saying he was willing to cut off power supply to the US.
He had also described Washington’s trade policies against Canada as having pulled a knife and “yanked it into us,” and called on US lawmakers to put pressure on President Trump.
President Trump’s sector-specific levies on Canadian goods include a 50% levy on metals and 25% on automobiles.
The White House’s global tariffs, particularly on steel, aluminum, and cars, have significantly impacted Canada, leading to job losses and placing pressure on businesses.
This marks the second instance of President Trump declaring a cessation of trade talks with Canada, following Ottawa’s announcement of its intention to impose a digital services tax on US technology firms earlier this year.
When Canada rescinded the tax, the White House suggested that Prime Minister Carney had “caved” to pressure from President Trump.
The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, which can carry up to 90 aircraft, will move to the waters off Latin America.
New satellite images show the White House East Wing has been completely demolished in order to make way for President Trump’s ballroom.
Speaking outside court, James accused Trump of using the justice department as a “vehicle of retribution.”
It now involves itself in securities fraud, gambling and online sports betting, prosecutors say.
Taki Allen, 16, said he was eating a bag of Doritos after football practice before being handcuffed by police.