Trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. erupted after President Donald Trump abruptly called off negotiations because of an Ontario anti-tariff ad campaign.
Trump said Canada “CHEATED” and accused it of fraudulently using remarks from late-former U.S. president Ronald Reagan. Ontario had used a clip of Reagan’s 1987 address on free trade, where he said tariffs hurt American workers and consumers, in an ad that ran on U.S. networks.
Here’s what happened throughout the day:
8:50 p.m. ET: Carney, Trump have not spoke since Truth Social post: sources
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump have not communicated since the U.S. president declared on Truth Social the U.S. was “terminating” trade negotiations with Canada, sources close to the prime minister told CTV News.
Carney, who sources say was still awake when Trump shared the post on Thursday, told reporters Friday that Canada will “stand ready to pick up” on the progress the two countries have made.
Ford, who announced Friday that Ontario would pause the anti-tariff advertising campaign on Monday, said it would help trade talks resume. However, sources close to the prime minster say there are no dates set for that to happen.
Sources also confirmed that Canadian and U.S. officials are not communicating in D.C., while Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, as well as Michael Sabia, Clerk of the Privy Council, are not in Washington.
Elianna Lev, CTV News writer
With files from CTV News correspondent Judy Trinh
4:20 p.m. ET: Alberta premier happy ads are suspended
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s pleased to see Ontario’s ad campaign suspended.
“I remain convinced that the path to a positive resolution with our U.S. partners lies in strong, consistent diplomacy and a commitment to working in good faith toward shared priorities such as North American energy dominance,” she said on X.
I remain convinced that the path to a positive resolution with our U.S. partners lies in strong, consistent diplomacy and a commitment to working in good faith toward shared priorities such as North American energy dominance.
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) October 24, 2025
To that end, I am pleased to see Ontario’s ad… pic.twitter.com/aGZPBDkD07
She also urged the federal government to continue negotiating toward “a free and fair trade agreement” with Washington.
Kayla Thompson, CTV News fellow
3:10 p.m. ET: ‘Tariffs are not good’ for Americans: former Trudeau advisor
Diamond Isinger, a former special advisor to former PM Justin Trudeau on Canada U.S. relations, tells CTV News Channel, “it sought to let Americans know tariffs are not good for them.”
“Clearly (it) has reached a point now where perhaps, without spending the $75M, they’ve (Ontario) gathered even more attention than they could hope for, and hopefully Canada can resume trade talks soon,” Isinger said.
According to Isinger, the government of Canada is currently working to have sectoral tariffs lifted. A CUSMA renegotiation and review process is next on the agenda in the months to come, which could wrap as late as June 2026.
Isinger said the way forward is in a “Team Canada” approach between provincial and federal governments.
“We need to make sure going forward that we don’t have any obstacles in the way of resuming those trade conversations with the president and that he is willing to come back to the table,” Isinger said.
Corin Thompson, CTV News assignment editor
2:50 p.m. ET: Eby says B.C. will make own ads
B.C. Premier David Eby says “truth will win” after announcing the province will also air anti-tariff ads.
“Americans need to hear how tariffs raise prices,” he said in a post on X. “We’re making ads to defend British Columbia and Canada’s forestry workers.”
Americans need to hear how tariffs raise prices. We’re making ads to defend British Columbia and Canada’s forestry workers. Our wood faces higher US tariffs than Russia. Absurd. Truth will win!https://t.co/Jaaop8Fq10
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 24, 2025
Eby adds that Canada’s wood industry faces higher tariffs from the U.S. than Russia, calling it “absurd.”
Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist
2:35 p.m. EDT: Ford to pause ads starting Monday
After speaking to Carney, Ford says the province will pull the ads starting Monday “so that trade talks can resume.”
“Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses,” Ford posted on X.
“We’ve achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. I’ve directed my team to keep putting our message in front of Americans over the weekend so that we can air our commercial during the first two World Series games.”
Ford went on to say that the two countries are stronger when they work together.
Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist
Our intention was always to initiate a conversation about the kind of economy that Americans want to build and the impact of tariffs on workers and businesses. We've achieved our goal, having reached U.S. audiences at the highest levels. I've directed my team to keep putting our…
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 24, 2025
2 p.m. ET: ‘Belligerence or dealmaking prowess’: Trade expert
“It’s hard to tell which version of reality we’re dealing with here,” Stuart Trew, Director of the Trade & Investment Research Project at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, told CTV News Channel.
“Deals seem to be close according to the government. Sectoral things happen with steel and aluminum, then low and behold, Trump gets cold feet and all of a sudden, he’s threatening to pull out of the whole thing. It’s not all that surprising.” Trew said.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed a possibility for a new sectoral tariff deal with the United States by the end of this month, but cautioned against being overly optimistic. Canada is hoping to secure deals on specific sectors, namely steel, aluminum, copper, autos, and lumber.
“Is it just simple belligerence or is there strategic dealmaking prowess that they (U.S.) think they’re using here to try and get Canada to give a little bit more in an area where we’re not entirely sure - on steel, aluminum or energy.”
Corin Thompson, CTV News assignment editor
1:44 p.m. EDT: U.S. Senate Democratic Leader says party will force vote against tariffs
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says his party “will force votes in the coming week to reverse Donald Trump’s damaging tariffs on Canada and other countries.”
Schumer adds that tariffs have been driving costs higher for Americans.
In April, a resolution put forward by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to end Trump’s tariffs on Canada was approved.
The move was mostly symbolic as it’s unlikely that the resolution would come up for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
At the time, the resolution was introduced after Trump imposed tariffs on Canada citing a “fentanyl crisis” at the border, in part blaming the Democrats.
Lynn Chaya, CTV News journalist
1:41 p.m. EDT: The Pope weighs in
Pope Leo lamented on Friday the frictions roiling relations between the United States and Canada, in a likely reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut off U.S.-Canada trade talks.
“Canada and the United States ... as we are sitting here, are experiencing great difficulties,” Leo, the first U.S. pope, told a meeting at the Vatican.
“Two countries that were once considered the closest allies at times have become separated from one another,” he said.
It is unusual for the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church to comment on matters of international trade, or on politics in any individual country.
Leo has not spoken previously about Trump’s trade policies, but has been ramping up disapproval of the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants, drawing a heated backlash from some prominent conservative Catholics.
Reuters
1:24 p.m. EDT: Talks have not been ‘collegial’: U.S. official
In an interview with Fox News on Friday, Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said Trump is “very frustrated” and that the move by Trump is not “about one thing.”
“The fact is the negotiations with the Canadians have not been very collegial, they have not been going well. I think the president is very frustrated,” Hassett said.
Stephanie Ha, Supervising producer, Ottawa News Bureau, CTV News.
1 p.m. EDT: Ad to run tonight at World Series
Ford’s office says the ad will run as-is during the World Series inaugural game tonight.
The Toronto Blue Jays will play the Los Angeles Dodgers at 8 p.m. EDT at the Rogers Centre.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
12:55 p.m. EDT: Don’t ‘poke the bear’: expert
“I personally don’t think that the ad was a good idea,” former special advisor at the Ministry of Finance Julian Karaguesian told CTV News Channel.
“Perhaps that $75 million would have been better spent in schools and hospitals and infrastructure,” Karaguesian also said. “This is a problem that is easily resolvable by pulling the ad, and then I think President Trump, given his up and down nature, will then have his officials return to the table.”
When asked how he thinks this plays out politically between Canada and the U.S., the former minister responded, “I think that progress was being made, and I think this kind of thing just throws a spanner in the works.”
“The president of the United States has the right to change the direction of trade policy in their country. Unfortunately, that hurts Canada, but we’re a rich country we have options.”
Kayla Thompson, CTV News fellow
12:50 p.m. EDT: Manitoba Premier says ads are ‘working’
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the controversial ad presents Reagan’s view on tariffs “accurately and powerfully.”
“President Trump’s damaging tariffs go completely against Mr. Reagan’s legacy,” Kinew said in a social media video meant to look like the offending ad.
“And it’s clear that these ads are working,” Kinew added. “If you throw a rock at a lake and you don’t hear a splash, you’ve probably missed.”
Kinew encouraged his “good friend” Ontario Premier Doug Ford to keep the ads on television.
“They’re effective and this country is behind you,” Kinew said.
President Trump’s tariffs go against Ronald Reagan’s legacy.
— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) October 24, 2025
Doug Ford’s ads are good — keep them on TV 🇨🇦 #elbowsup pic.twitter.com/wpBSYWWKwc
Daniel Otis, CTVNews.ca journalist.
12:20 p.m. EDT: Canada is playing games, says WH
A White House spokesperson told CTV News that Washington’s “good-faith efforts with Canadian officials have not led to any constructive progress” on trade and what he called longstanding, unfair trade barriers, without providing specifics.
Canadian negotiators have made repeated trips to the U.S. capital to talk trade over recent months. Just days ago, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters in Ottawa that talks were progressing with an unprecedented level of detail.
At the time, sources said they were hopeful at the prospect of seeing movement on a metals deal by the end of the week, but Carney said he wouldn’t “overplay” that possibility.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said Friday, “Canadian officials would rather play games than engage with the Administration … Further talks are a futile effort if Canada can’t be serious,” repeating the claim that Ontario “misleadingly edited” the Reagan remarks.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
11:55 a.m. EDT: Halted trade negotiations a ‘devastating blow’ says trade lawyer
Trump calling off trade negotiations is a serious setback to the Canadian economy, according to one trade lawyer.
Speaking with CTV News Channel, international trade lawyer William Pellerin expressed his disappointment, especially for those in the Canadian aluminum and steel industry who may be counting onsome short-term relief.
“I think this stands as a devastating blow,” said Pellerin.
“This is quite a bit of a setback and illustrates quite well the complexities of dealing with the U.S. administration where things can change very quickly.”
Corin Thompson, CTV News assignment editor
11:47 a.m. EDT: $75M ad campaign created in ‘good faith,’ auto expert says
The Ontario government’s use of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan in a $75 million ad campaign was in good faith, an auto industry analyst says.
Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe told CTV News Channel that the Ontario government’s advertisement was much fairer than the ads produced by the Canadian auto sector for the U.S. market.
“We know the president is famously thin skinned. Certainly, Doug Ford and the Ontario government has found how shallow that skin is when he retaliated on threating to cut off electricity and removing American booze from the shelves,” Volpe said Friday. ”I don’t think we need to move quickly to remove those ads. Those ads were in good faith.”
At the provincial legislature earlier this week, Ford said the aim was to “blast” the message to Americans, particularly those in the Republican districts where Trump draws his support.
“It’s probably one of the best ads I’ve ever seen,” Ford told reporters Tuesday.
Corin Thompson, CTV News assignment editor
11:30 a.m. EDT: Joly describes Trump administration as ‘very unpredictable’
Speaking at a press conference in Quebec on Friday, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said Canada needs to keep its “head down” amid the trade turmoil.
“We need to concentrate on what we can control, because a lot of things we cannot control,” Joly said at an event announcing funding for Sherbrooke, Que., manufacturers. “We already know that there’s only one person in the American administration that takes decisions, and it is President Trump himself.”
Joly also described the Trump administration as “very unpredictable” and said that the prime minister is willing to continue trade negotiations with the U.S.
“Now, the prime minister just took a plane going to Asian countries, and he will concentrate on finding also new clients and new markets, and that’s exactly what we need to do,” Joly added. “We need to make sure that we reduce our dependency on the U.S. and that we support our businesses.”
Daniel Otis, CTVNews.ca journalist
11:10 a.m. EDT: A ‘distaste’ for Ford, says source
A senior U.S. government source tells CTV News that the White House has long had a “visceral distaste” for Ford, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick even referring to him as a “lightweight.”
The source also tells CTV News that Trump is very concerned about the U.S. Supreme Court, which will begin hearing arguments about the legality of Trump’s global tariffs on Nov. 5, and there are “likely more shoes to drop” amid those concerns.
Stephanie Ha, Supervising producer, Ottawa News Bureau, CTV News. Read the full story here.
10:50 a.m. EDT: Rubio, Anand have not spoken
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a stop in a southern Israeli military centre, said he has not spoken with his Canadian counterpart after Trump dropped out of negotiations.
“One of the leaders in Canada was running ads in the United States on tariffs that took President Reagan’s words out of context. Even the Reagan foundations criticized him for it,” he said in a brief response.
“The president made his announcement that he has suspended any trade talks for now.”
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
10:00 a.m. EDT: Reagan speech was edited, not faked
A speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was edited for an ad sponsored by the Ontario government, according to CNN. While Trump has described the ad as “fake” and a “fraud,” Reagan did in fact speak out against tariffs and express support for free and fair trade in the 1987 speech. You can watch the full five-minute speech on YouTube.
Daniel Otis, CTVNews.ca journalist.
9:50 a.m. EDT: Trump, Carney likely to meet this week
With Carney and Trump expected to cross paths in Korea next week at the APEC summit, there is an opportunity for the leaders to carve a path to get trade negotiations back on track, according to one Canadian business leader.
“The prime minister and president are going to have an opportunity at APEC in Korea, to at least say ‘hello’ to each other. Maybe from there, we can find a path back to some means by which we can put things back on track,” Business Council of Canada President and CEO Goldy Hyder told CTV News Channel.
Carney departs Friday for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend the summit of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN is a regional grouping of Southeast Asian countries that promote security and economic cooperation among its members.
Corin Thompson, CTV News assignment editor
9:45 a.m. EDT: Carney responds
Carney just held a brief scrum with reporters on the tarmac ahead of his trip to Asia today.
He briefly addressed the president’s remarks.
“For months, we have stressed the importance of distinguishing things we can control and things we can’t control. We can’t control the trade policy of the United States,” he said, adding that negotiators in his government are ready to resume trade discussions with the U.S. when the White House is ready.
“What we can control, absolutely, is how we build here at home,” Carney also said.
He did not respond to questions from journalists on whether Ontario should retract the ad.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
8:15 a.m. EDT: Ford speaks up
“Canada and the United States are friends, neighbours and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together. God bless Canada and God bless the United States,” Ford wrote on social media Friday morning.
He published Reagan’s address, hosted on the Reagan Library YouTube Channel.
Canada and the United States are friends, neighbours and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 24, 2025
God bless Canada and God bless the United States.https://t.co/n1Nj6ofNZU
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist
7:30 a.m.: Trump says Canada cheated
“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.
“Canada is trying to illegally influence the United States Supreme Court in one of the most important rulings in the history of our Country,” reads a Friday morning post from the president.
Trump is likely referring to a case before his country’s highest court that will determine whether his tariff regime is legal or not.
In September, the Trump administration asked justices to overturn an appeals court ruling that found swaths of his tariff regime hinge on an illegal use of an emergency powers law.
That case remains before the court. Trump’s tariffs remain in effect pending the ruling.
Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca journalist. Read the full story here.
With files from The Associated Press
