The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation is exploring legal action over an ad it says “misrepresents” the former president, an ad that has now caused President Trump to end all trade talks with Canada.
The Ontario-sponsored ad used a 1987 clip of Reagan warning against tariffs. The foundation responded that the “selective audio” was used without permission and distorts the speech’s full context.
President Trump seized on the controversy, calling the ad “fraudulent” and “fake” in a truthful social post. He accused Canada of “egregious behavior” and terminated negotiations.
This move ends dialogue over the 35% tariffs the US has levied on Canadian goods. Ontario premier Doug Ford, who is fighting the tariffs, defended the ad’s cooperative message.
The halt in talks, confirmed by secretary of state Marco Rubio, dealt a blow to Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. Carney has been trying to ease trade tensions and prepare for a review of the usmca.
