US President Donald Trump on Friday lashed out at Canada, claiming it “cheated and got caught” after a provincial government-funded ad aired on American television criticised his tariff policy using edited clips of Ronald Reagan.
“CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!! They fraudulently took a big ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like tariffs, when actually he loved tariffs for our country,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Canada is trying to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court in one of the most important rulings in our history.”
The ad, reportedly funded by the Ontario government, featured Reagan warning that high tariffs can “trigger fierce trade wars” — remarks that the Ronald Reagan Foundation later said were “selectively edited” and misrepresented. The foundation said it is “reviewing legal options.”
Trade Talks Terminated
A day earlier, Trump announced that all trade negotiations with Canada were terminated, accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government of “egregious behavior.”
“Tariffs are very important to the national security and economy of the U.S.A. Based on their behavior, all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated,” Trump wrote.
The move comes just two weeks after a friendly White House meeting between Trump and Carney, where both sides had discussed easing U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos.
Now, Trump has said Canada — which he accused of charging U.S. farmers “as much as 400%” — has “taken advantage of the U.S. for too long.”
Backdrop: Supreme Court Tariffs Case Looms
Trump’s comments come as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on Nov. 5 in a landmark case over whether the president lawfully used emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The administration has argued that the tariffs are necessary for national security and economic independence, while lower courts have ruled that Trump exceeded his authority.
Analysts say Trump’s latest accusations against Canada appear aimed at reinforcing his narrative that foreign governments — and even allies — are trying to undermine his trade policies.
Carney’s Response and Canada’s Shift
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has not directly responded to Trump’s accusations but said earlier this week that the United States’ “fundamentally changed trade policy” requires Canada to pivot its economic strategy.
He announced plans to double Canada’s exports to non-U.S. markets and began a week-long Asia tour, including potential talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, to strengthen trade ties amid rising U.S. protectionism.
Rising Tensions and Economic Fallout
The diplomatic rift marks another sharp downturn in U.S.-Canada relations, already strained by Trump’s sector-wide tariffs on steel, autos, and aluminum. The tariffs have caused job losses and rising grocery and manufacturing costs in Canada, pushing the country’s inflation rate to 2.4% in September, according to Statistics Canada.
While both countries remain bound by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — set for review in 2026 — Trump’s latest move signals that North America’s trade stability is once again under threat.
Trump’s accusations that Canada is meddling in a Supreme Court case mark a dramatic new phase in his tariff war — turning a legal battle into a geopolitical one. With trade talks now frozen and diplomatic relations fraying, the U.S.-Canada partnership faces its most serious test since the early NAFTA years.
