Trump Accuses Canada of Illegal Influence Amid Trade Talks

UPDATE: President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on Canada early Friday morning, accusing the nation of attempting to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court. This accusation follows the release of a controversial video advertisement paid for by the government of Ontario, attacking Trump’s tariff policies.

The advertisement, which debuted last week, features excerpts from a speech delivered by former President Ronald Reagan, highlighting the economic damage caused by tariffs. Trump’s ire peaked after he abruptly halted trade negotiations with Canada on Thursday night, citing the ad as a key reason for the breakdown.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump claimed, “CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!! They fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.”

Trump’s statements come amid heightened tensions over trade policies, as he insists that Canada has long exploited the U.S. market, imposing tariffs as high as 400% on American farmers. He added, “Now they, and other countries, can’t take advantage of the U.S. any longer. Thank you to the Ronald Reagan Foundation for exposing this FRAUD.”

While Trump asserts the ad distorts Reagan’s views, the lines featured were indeed part of a 1987 radio speech by Reagan, although presented out of context. The former president is widely recognized for promoting international free trade, having dismantled several protectionist trade barriers during his administration.

Trump’s allegations come at a critical moment as ongoing trade dialogues with Canada face significant strain. The implications of these developments could affect U.S.-Canada relations and the broader economic landscape, particularly for farmers and businesses reliant on cross-border trade.

As this story unfolds, observers are keenly watching for responses from Canadian officials and how this will impact future trade negotiations. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, as it touches not only on international relations but also on economic policies that directly affect American citizens.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story evolves.