In recent developments, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated a strategic pivot away from reliance on the United States, aiming to boost Canada’s exports to other countries in response to escalating tariff threats imposed by former US President Donald Trump. This move reflects growing trade tensions between the two neighboring nations, which have been simmering for months.

Amidst this backdrop, Trump took to his social media platform to issue a provocative post that could further strain these already fragile trade negotiations. He claimed, “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs.” Trump’s assertion suggests an attempt by Canadian interests to influence American judicial processes.

Continuing his critique, Trump alleged that, “The ad was for $75,000. They only did this to interfere with the decision of the US Supreme Court, and other courts,” reflecting his belief in a larger scheme against US interests.

In a dramatic conclusion to his social media message, Trump declared, “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE USA. Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” This statement underscores the potential for a significant shift in the economic relationship between the US and Canada, as trade negotiations come to an abrupt halt.

“TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE USA Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”

Carney’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The prime minister was set to leave Friday morning for a summit in Asia, while Trump is set to do the same Friday evening.

Earlier on Thursday night, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X that an ad created by the government of Ontario “misrepresents the ‘Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade’ dated April 25, 1987.”

It added that Ontario did not receive foundation permission “to use and edit the remarks.”

The foundation said it is “reviewing legal options in this matter” and invited the public to watch the unedited video of Reagan’s address.

Carney met with Trump earlier this month to try to ease trade tensions, as the two countries and Mexico prepare for a review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement — a trade deal Trump negotiated in his first term, but has since soured on.

More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the US, and nearly $CAD 3.6 billion ($3.9 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border daily.

Trump said earlier this week that he had seen the ad on television and said that it showed that his tariffs were having an impact.

“I saw an ad last night from Canada. If I was Canada, I’d take that same ad also,” he said then.

In his own post on X last week, Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, posted a link to the ad and the message: “It’s official: Ontario’s new advertising campaign in the US has launched.”

He continued, “Using every tool we have, we’ll never stop making the case against American tariffs on Canada. The way to prosperity is by working together.”

A spokesperson for Ford didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night. But Ford previously got Trump’s attention with an electricity surcharge to US states.

Trump responded by doubling steel and aluminium tariffs.

The president has moved to impose steep US tariffs on many goods from Canada.

In April, Canada’s government imposed retaliatory levies on certain US goods, but it carved out exemptions for some automakers to bring specific numbers of vehicles into the country, known as remission quotas.

Trump’s tariffs have especially hurt Canada’s auto sector, much of which is based in Ontario. This month, Stellantis said it would move a production line from Ontario to Illinois.