President Donald Trump just slammed the brakes on trade talks with Canada over what he calls a deceptive ad campaign.

This latest clash stems from Trump’s decision on Thursday to end negotiations, pointing to a controversial television spot sponsored by Ontario’s government that misrepresents former President Ronald Reagan’s stance on tariffs, while tensions already simmer from earlier U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos, as Breitbart reports.

Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage: earlier this year, Trump imposed hefty tariffs on key Canadian exports, arguing they’re vital for American national security and economic strength.

Trade tensions boil over

Fast forward to Thursday, and the drama escalated when Trump accused Canada of airing what he deems a “fraudulent” advertisement, twisting Reagan’s words to bash tariffs.

The ad, bankrolled by the Ontario provincial government, claims Reagan said tariffs “hurt every American,” a selective snippet that’s raised eyebrows and ire across the border.

The Ronald Reagan Foundation fired back that very night, condemning the ad for distorting Reagan’s message without permission and hinting at potential legal action to set the record straight.

Trump halts talks

Trump didn’t mince words, taking to the public stage with a fiery response to the ad’s deception.

“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 declared, clearly fed up with what he sees as underhanded tactics.

He continued, “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED."

Economic stakes remain high

Now, let’s not pretend this spat is just about a misleading commercial -- it’s a heavyweight bout with billions on the line.

Consider this: over three-quarters of Canada’s exports head south to the U.S., with roughly $3.6 billion Canadian -- about $2.7 billion U.S.  -- in goods and services crossing the border every single day.

That’s a lifeline for Canada, and Prime Minister Mark Carney knows it, which is why he’s pushing to double exports to non-U.S. markets as a buffer against Trump’s tariff threats.

Diplomatic moves made amid fallout

Meanwhile, both leaders are packing their bags for an Asian summit, with Carney departing Friday morning and Trump following that evening—will they hash this out face-to-face?

Don’t hold your breath for a cozy reconciliation just yet; the stakes are too high, and the rhetoric too sharp, for a quick handshake to mend this rift.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about a doctored ad -- it’s about sovereignty, economic survival, and whether Canada can play fair without resorting to what many see as cheap shots. While we champion free trade, let’s not ignore the need for rules and respect, something this ad debacle seems to have tossed out the window with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.