President Trump has cited “egregious behavior” as his reason for ending all trade talks with Canada. The behavior was a tv ad from Ontario that quoted Ronald Reagan .
The ad used a 1987 clip of Reagan saying tariffs “hurt every American worker.” Trump called the ad “fake” and an attempt to meddle in US legal affairs.
This move escalates the trade war, which has seen 35% tariffs imposed on Canadian goods, hitting Ontario’s economy hard. Premier Doug Ford launched the ad in protest.
The ad’s use of the speech is also controversial. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation said it “misrepresents” the former president’s comments with “selective audio.”
The suspension of talks, confirmed by secretary of state Marco Rubio, creates a crisis for Canadian pm mark carney, who has been trying to ease tensions.