On the evening of October 23, 2025 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the Truth Social platform the immediate termination of all trade negotiations with Canada.

Trump cited as the reason a tariff-opposing advertisement funded by the government of Ontario, Canada, which used images and remarks of the late former President Ronald Reagan. Launched around October 16, the advertisement ran on U.S. television and social media platforms with a budget of approximately $75,000. The Ronald Reagan Foundation confirmed that the advertisement used Reagan’s portrait and remarks without authorization, and its editing method was “misleading.” Trump argued that Canada’s move was intended to interfere with rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts, as well as influence the views of the U.S. Congress and the public on tariff policies.

Since February 4, 2025, the United States has imposed nearly universal tariffs on Canadian products. The two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations, but progress has been slow. Trump’s decision has further escalated the trade war between the United States and Canada, potentially leading to the upgrading of tariff barriers and impacting the economies of both countries.