Trump Accuses Canada of ‘Dirty Play’ Despite Ontario’s Move to Pull Reagan Trade Ad

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday lashed out at Canada, accusing the country of “playing dirty,” even after the province of Ontario announced plans to pull a controversial trade advertisement that featured former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

The dispute erupted after the ad, aired during the World Series, used clips from a 1987 Reagan speech to criticize U.S. tariffs on foreign imports — a move that Trump said distorted Reagan’s true stance on trade.

Although Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the ad would be withdrawn on Monday to pave the way for renewed trade negotiations, Trump remained unsatisfied.

“Canada got caught cheating on a commercial, can you believe it?” Trump told reporters before departing for a trip to Asia. “And I heard they were pulling the ad — I didn’t know they were putting it on a little bit more. They could have pulled it tonight.”

When informed the ad would run through the weekend, Trump fumed, “That’s dirty play. But I can play dirtier than they can.”

Ontario Bows to Pressure

On Thursday, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had “terminated” trade discussions with Canada over what he called a “fake” advertising campaign.

Within 24 hours, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said the province would suspend the ads following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“In speaking with Prime Minister Carney, Ontario will pause its U.S. advertising campaign effective Monday so that trade talks can resume,” Ford posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Controversial ‘Reagan Ad’

The Canadian ad drew from Reagan’s 1987 radio address, where he warned that high tariffs could trigger “fierce trade wars” and hurt the American economy. The quote used in the commercial matched the transcript found on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s official website.

However, the Ronald Reagan Foundation criticized Ontario for using “selective audio and video” to misrepresent the former president’s message, adding that it was reviewing possible legal action.

Trump labeled the spot a “crooked ad,” insisting that “they know Ronald Reagan loved tariffs.”

Strained Ties and Trade Tensions

The clash adds fresh strain to U.S.–Canada relations, coming just weeks after Prime Minister Carney met Trump at the White House to plead for a softening of U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

Both leaders are expected to attend a dinner on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea next week, though Trump said he has “no plans” to meet Carney there.

Speaking ahead of his Asia trip, Carney sought to ease tensions, saying Canada remained open to dialogue.

“We have to focus on what we can control and realize what we cannot,” Carney said, adding that Ottawa was ready to make “progress when the Americans are ready.”

Tariff Battle Continues

Trump’s sweeping global tariffs have taken a heavy toll on Canada’s manufacturing sector, resulting in layoffs and reduced output.

While the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) currently ensures that about 85 percent of bilateral trade remains tariff-free, Carney warned in a recent speech that U.S. protectionism has reached levels “last seen during the Great Depression.”

“Our economic strategy needs to change dramatically,” the Canadian leader said. “The process will take some sacrifices and some time.”

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