Oct 24, 2025 - Business

Reagan foundation "reviewing legal options" over Ontario tariffs ad

Rebecca Falconer

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, with dyed black hair and wearing a black suit, tie and white shirt with black pin stripes, speaks at a rally for Senator Durenberger. — Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Photo: Michael Evans/The White House/Getty Images

Former President Reagan's foundation said Thursday night it's "reviewing legal options" after Canada's Ontario provincial government "created an ad campaign against tariffs "using selective audio and video" of a 1987 address by the late president.

Why it matters: The announcement prompted President Trump to abruptly terminate all trade talks with Canadian officials and accuse Canada of trying to interfere in a case challenging his tariffs that's before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Driving the news: The ad campaign concerns the late president's 1987 radio address to the nation on free and fair trade, per a statement posted to X by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute on Thursday night.

The ad "misrepresents" Reagan's address and Ontario's government "did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks," the foundation said.

What they're saying: A spokesperson for Ontario Premier Doug Ford denied any wrongdoing in the ad campaign, telling CBC News: "The commercial uses an unedited excerpt from one of President Reagan's public addresses, which is available through public domain."

Representatives for Ontario's government did not immediately respond to Axios' Thursday night request for comment.

Of note: The foundation urged people in its statement to listen to the late president's unedited remarks posted on the Reagan Library's YouTube channel:

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Reagan foundation "reviewing legal options" over Ontario tariffs ad

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