Donald Trump’s initial response to Ontario’s anti-tariffs TV ad did not hint at the subsequent termination of trade talks with Canada. The U.S. president viewed the ad three days before abruptly announcing the end of negotiations. Trump, addressing the ad at the White House, portrayed it as proof of his tariffs benefiting the U.S. economically and dismissed its impact on viewers. Despite the ad featuring Ronald Reagan’s words against tariffs, Trump did not dwell on this aspect during his address.
The ad’s role in Trump’s decision to terminate talks with Canada is under scrutiny. Kevin Hassett, Trump’s economic adviser, highlighted that the frustration leading to this move stemmed from Canada’s challenging stance throughout negotiations. Hassett emphasized that the issue extended beyond the ad and hinted at built-up frustrations with Canada. The exact reasons for Trump’s frustration with the Canadian negotiations remain unclear.
Recent developments, such as Canada imposing tariffs on General Motors and Stellantis, likely exacerbated tensions with the Trump administration. These actions, along with Canada’s stance on international matters, contributed to Trump’s decision to halt talks. Additionally, Trump hinted at other concerns in his social media posts, suggesting potential influences on the U.S. Supreme Court, a significant case involving his imposed tariffs on multiple countries.
The ongoing legal battle over the constitutionality of Trump’s tariffs adds complexity to the situation. The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearings on the matter could impact the tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico, a key focus of the terminated negotiations. Despite the ad controversy, Canadian officials remain open to resuming talks when the U.S. is ready. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to withdraw the ad from U.S. airwaves raises questions about Trump’s true intentions behind halting negotiations.