Trump says trade talks with Canada 'terminated' over anti-tariffs advert

 

US President Donald Trump has announced an immediate end to all trade negotiations with Canada over an advert critical of the tariffs he has imposed on the nation.

The advert, sponsored by the government of Canada's province of Ontario, quoted Trump's predecessor, Ronald Reagan, an icon of US conservatism, saying tariffs "hurt every American".

Trump wrote on social media that the advert was "FAKE" and "egregious", adding that trade talks were "HEREBY TERMINATED".

His administration has imposed a 35% levy on many Canadian imports, as well as individual tariffs targeting particular industries like car and steel manufacturing. Ontario has been particularly hard-hit by these.

Trump has allowed exemptions for goods that fall under a free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that he negotiated during his first term.

But Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has since his election earlier this year attempted to strike a deal that would ease the US tariffs.

This has been complicated by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is one of the most vocal critics of the taxes levied on US firms buying Canadian products.

In the minute-long advert published last week, Reagan's voice can be heard narrating over images that include the New York Stock Exchange and cranes adorned with both US and Canadian flags.

The video excerpts a 1987 national radio address by Reagan that focused on foreign trade.

Trump referenced this statement, and said the video was designed to "interfere with" the US Supreme Court's upcoming decision in November on whether Washington's sweeping tariffs on many nations' products are legal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjrlmd4pmeo