Trump halts all trade talks with Canada after TV ads slam US tariffs

In a dramatic escalation of cross-border tensions, US President Donald Trump on October 23 declared an immediate end to “all trade negotiations” with Canada, lashing out over a series of television ads that criticized his administration’s tariff policies.

In a fiery social media post, Trump accused Ottawa of attempting to sway US Supreme Court decisions through the campaign. “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY OF THE USA,” he wrote, defending his protectionist stance that has drawn criticism at home and abroad.

The move marks a sharp downturn in relations between Washington and Ottawa, long considered one of the most stable economic partnerships in the world.

It comes just days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would seek to double exports to countries beyond the United States amid growing uncertainty over Trump’s tariff regime.

While the White House has yet to clarify whether the suspension is temporary or permanent, the announcement signals a significant rift in North American trade diplomacy — one that could reshape the region’s economic landscape for years to come.