WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced he is halting trade negotiations with Canada due to a controversial advertising campaign opposing tariffs. In a late-night social media post, Trump described the advertisements as "egregious."

The Government of Ontario funded the ad campaign, which features audio and video of former President Ronald Reagan discussing tariffs from a 1987 radio address. In the address, Reagan warned that high tariffs could lead to retaliation from foreign countries, resulting in trade wars that could harm markets and lead to job losses.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute criticized the Ontario advertisements, claiming they misrepresent Reagan's message. The foundation stated it is exploring legal options and urged viewers to watch the unedited video of Reagan's address.

In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's office defended the ads, asserting that Reagan was a strong advocate for free and fair trade between Canada and the United States.

Trump's post on his Truth Social platform emphasized the importance of tariffs for U.S. national security and the economy. He stated, "Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED."

The Ford government has invested $75 million in the ad campaign, which began airing earlier this month across various U.S. news outlets, including Newsmax, Bloomberg, FOX, NBC, CBS, and CNBC. The ads are scheduled to run until the end of January 2026.

This development marks a significant escalation in U.S.-Canada trade relations amid ongoing tensions over tariffs and trade policies.