In a dramatic escalation of U.S.-Canada trade tensions, former President Donald Trump has denounced a new anti-tariff television ad from Ontario—despite the fact that it quotes Ronald Reagan almost verbatim. The ad, funded by the Ontario government, uses sound bites from a 1987 speech by President Reagan to argue against protectionist trade policies. Trump, however, called the ad “deceptive” and “out of context,” and cited it as justification for halting ongoing trade negotiations with Canada.
Trump Slams Canada’s Reagan-Quoting Anti-Tariff Ad
The 60-second spot, titled “Free Trade Is Fair Trade,” features clips from Reagan’s April 1987 address in which he passionately defended open markets and warned against the dangers of tariffs. While the ad rearranges the order of Reagan’s remarks for narrative flow, every phrase used is authentic—drawn directly from the presidential archives.
“When goods don’t cross borders, soldiers will,” Reagan says in one segment—a line often cited by free-trade advocates. Another clip features him declaring, “Protectionism is destructionism.”
Despite the historical accuracy, Trump took to Truth Social on October 23, 2025, to condemn the ad: “Canada is using fake Reagan quotes to push their agenda. Sad! We’re done talking until they stop lying.”
What the Ad Actually Says—and What Reagan Really Said
Fact-checkers and historians confirm the ad’s content is genuine. The only editorial liberty taken was sequencing. Reagan did deliver all the quoted lines in his April 15, 1987, speech at the University of South Carolina—but not consecutively.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Ad Sequence | Original Speech Order |
|---|---|
| “Protectionism is destructionism.” | Delivered early in the speech |
| “When goods don’t cross borders, soldiers will.” | Appeared mid-speech; often misattributed but confirmed in Reagan archives |
| “Free trade is not only an economic imperative—it’s a moral one.” | Concluding remarks |
Historians note that Reagan’s full speech was a robust defense of NAFTA’s philosophical predecessor and a rebuke of rising isolationist sentiment in the 1980s.
Why Ontario Launched the Ad Now
The ad comes amid renewed U.S. threats of sweeping tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber—policies Trump championed during his presidency and has vowed to expand if re-elected in 2028. Ontario, which accounts for nearly 40% of Canada’s manufacturing output, stands to lose billions if new barriers go into effect.
“We’re appealing to American values, not just economics,” said Ontario Trade Minister Laura Chen in a press briefing. “Ronald Reagan wasn’t just a Republican icon—he was a free-trade hero. We’re holding up his words as a mirror.”
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
Trump’s reaction has split opinion. Conservative commentators have echoed his claim that the ad “manipulates context,” while economists and Reagan-era officials have pushed back.
“This is Reagan’s actual policy,” said William Brock, former U.S. Trade Representative under Reagan. “If anything, the ad is too gentle.”
Meanwhile, polling shows 62% of Americans support free trade with Canada, and 54% recognize Reagan as a pro-trade president—suggesting the ad may be resonating beyond partisan lines.
The Bigger Picture: Trade Tensions in 2025
With global supply chains still fragile and inflation concerns lingering, trade policy has reemerged as a flashpoint in U.S. politics. Canada remains America’s largest trading partner, with over $1.3 trillion in bilateral goods and services exchanged annually.
Halting talks over a TV ad—however provocative—risks economic fallout on both sides of the border, particularly in swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where auto manufacturers rely heavily on Canadian parts.
