President Donald Trump has signaled a possible de-escalation in the ongoing trade dispute with Canada following a dinner meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney during the APEC Summit. This interaction occurs just days after Trump declared a halt to trade negotiations, citing a Canadian advertisement that he labeled ‘fake propaganda’ targeting U.S. tariffs. The advertisement controversially featured selectively edited remarks from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Addressing reporters, Trump described the encounter as a ‘very nice conversation,’ hinting at a potential thaw in relations. The diplomatic friction escalated after the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation accused Canada of running an anti-tariff campaign using fraudulent material. Trump vehemently criticized this tactic as ‘egregious behavior’ intended to sway U.S. judicial rulings.
Earlier, Trump had announced the suspension of trade talks via social media, calling the ad ‘FAKE’ and an interference tactic. He wrote, ‘ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.’ Adding to the pressure, he also proclaimed an impending 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian goods, framing it as a response to Canada’s ‘hostile act’ and factual misrepresentations. Trump emphasized that tariffs are vital for American national security and economic stability.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has also spoken out against Canada’s use of the advertisement, confirming that they are investigating possible legal actions to address the misuse of the former president’s image and words.