U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his discontent on Truth Social regarding a Canadian political advertisement that references former President Ronald Reagan. The ad, produced by the Ontario government, aims to illustrate how Trump's trade policies diverge from Reagan's principles, which have long been celebrated by the Republican Party.

The advertisement includes audio from a radio address Reagan delivered on April 25, 1987, during a trade dispute with Japan over semiconductors. In the address, Reagan cautioned against imposing tariffs, stating, "When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes for a short while it works — but only for a short time. High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens. Markets shrink and collapse. Businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs."

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute responded to the ad, asserting that it misrepresents Reagan's message and encouraged the public to listen to the full address. However, Trump dismissed this invitation and took to social media to label the advertisement as "FAKE," claiming Canada had fraudulently used Reagan's words against tariffs. He declared that all trade negotiations with Canada were "HEREBY TERMINATED."

The following day, Trump reiterated his stance, stating that Canada had misrepresented Reagan's views, asserting, "when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY."

Critics noted that while the ad selectively quoted Reagan, it did not misrepresent his overall message. In fact, Reagan had expressed reluctance to impose tariffs, emphasizing that such measures could harm American workers and consumers in the long run. He referenced the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which exacerbated the Great Depression, and advocated for free trade and competition.

Reagan's address highlighted the negative consequences of tariffs, including stifled innovation and reduced competitiveness for American industries. He warned that tariffs could lead to a cycle of increasing trade barriers and higher prices for consumers.

While Reagan did impose tariffs at times, such as to protect the semiconductor industry and Harley-Davidson from Japanese competition, his broader message cautioned against protectionist policies. This context raises questions about Trump's interpretation of Reagan's legacy in relation to current trade practices.