The Global Story Why the US-Canada relationship is on shaky ground
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Oct 29, 2025 Nadine Youssef, a Senior Canada reporter for the BBC, dives into the escalating tensions in US-Canada relations. She reveals how a controversial Canadian TV ad featuring Ronald Reagan's anti-tariff message sparked outrage from President Trump. Nadine details the historical context of the relationship's decline, touching on pivotal moments like Trump’s suggestion that Canada could be the U.S.’s 51st state. Political ramifications are discussed, including Trudeau's challenges and the rise of Mark Carney as a potential leader, highlighting the complex dynamics shaping bilateral trust and trade.
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Ad Sparks Diplomatic Trade Escalation
- The Ontario government ran a U.S. ad using Ronald Reagan's anti-tariff speech and aired it during the World Series to pressure American audiences.
- The ad reignited a trade feud and prompted President Trump to raise tariffs and halt trade talks with Canada.
Trump's '51st State' Remarks Alarm Canada
- Trump joked that Canada was like a U.S. state after dining with Justin Trudeau and suggested Canada might "cease to exist" without the U.S.
- Canadians took these remarks seriously as repeated comments hinted Trump viewed Canada as economically dependent on the U.S.
Deep Economic Interdependence Cuts Both Ways
- Canada sells three-quarters of its goods to the U.S., so U.S. tariffs hit Canadian jobs and industries hard.
- The initial Canadian reaction combined shock and a sense of betrayal, prompting retaliatory tariffs and public backlash.