‘When someone says, Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports, it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs.
‘And sometimes for a short while, it works. But only for a short time. Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker, and consume them,’ Ronald Reagan says, with picturesque visuals of Ontario, Canada, displayed as he speaks.
The one-minute clip of a 1987 speech by the former President has prompted Donald Trump to end ‘all trade negotiations’ with Canada because of the advert.
Trump claimed the ad opposed US tariffs and said it misstated the facts that the ‘egregious behaviour’ was aimed at influencing US court decisions.
The post on Trump’s social media site came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he aims to double his country’s exports to countries outside the US because of the threat posed by Trump’s tariffs.
The call for an abrupt end to negotiations could further inflame trade tensions that have already been building between the two neighbouring countries for months.
What is the ‘fake TV ad’ that’s got Trump upset, and who made it?
The one-minute ad was pulled from a speech former President Reagan gave in 1987.
He also said: ”High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation from foreign countries, and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens. Markets shrink and collapse.
‘Businesses and industries shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs.
‘Throughout the world, there’s a growing realisation that the weight of prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition. America’s jobs and growth are at stake.’
The advertisement was paid for by the Ontario government, which reportedly paid upwards of 75 million to broadcast it in the US.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who led the ad campaign, said: ‘I’m a big Ronald Reagan fan… we’re going to repeat that message to every Republican district there is, right across the entire country.’
The speech, which was very much real, despite Trump calling it ‘FAKE’, was during a period when the US opened up trade with dozens of other countries in a bid for a free, open trade market.
He took to Truth Social and wrote: ‘They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts. TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.
‘Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT.’
