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+--- Thread: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial (/thread-19049.html)
Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Magical Realist - Oct 25, 2025
"President Donald Trump said overnight that he was abruptly ending all trade negotiations with Canada because of a video advertisement from Ontario’s government that criticizes U.S. tariffs using the words and voice of former President Ronald Reagan.
Trump, in a Truth Social post announcing the termination of the talks, cited a statement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute claiming that Ontario’s ad “misrepresents” what Reagan said in a 1987 address on tariffs.
“They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court,” wrote Trump, referring to a major pending case that threatens to cancel some of his biggest tariffs.
The Reagan foundation’s reaction has drawn criticism from some who say that the organization is itself twisting the former president’s clearly tariff-critical message.
“Incredible cynicism and betrayal of Reagan by his own foundation,” Dartmouth economics professor Paul Novosad said in an X post. “If anyone actually clicked through to listen to the real address, they would see he says exactly what the Ontario ad claims!”
The Canadian ad, unveiled in mid-October by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, uses as its entire narration a half-dozen snippets of audio from Reagan’s speech on free and fair trade delivered at Camp David, Maryland, on April 25, 1987.
In the speech, Reagan defends his administration’s decision to place tariffs on Japan in retaliation for the country’s alleged failure to enforce their trade agreement on semiconductors with the U.S. He goes on to defend free trade and explain his general opposition to tariffs, even while imposing them in “certain select cases.”
Ford defended the ad Friday morning, writing, “President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together.”
The Reagan Foundation’s statement encouraged people to watch an unedited video of the former president’s speech.
Transcripts of both the Canadian ad and Reagan’s 1987 remarks are below. The parts of his speech that were used in the ad are highlighted in the full speech transcript.
Ontario’s ad:
Reagan: 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.
Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer.
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.
Throughout the world, there’s a growing realization that the way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition.
America’s jobs, and growth, are at stake.
Reagan’s 1987 speech:
My fellow Americans:
Prime Minister Nakasone of Japan will be visiting me here at the White House next week. It’s an important visit, because, while I expect to take up our relations with our good friend Japan, which overall remain excellent, recent disagreements between our two countries on the issue of trade will also be high on our agenda.
As perhaps you’ve heard, last week I placed new duties on some Japanese products in response to Japan’s inability to enforce their trade agreement with us on electronic devices called semiconductors. Now, imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loath to take. And in a moment I’ll mention the sound economic reasons for this: that over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. But the Japanese semiconductors were a special case. We had clear evidence that Japanese companies were engaging in unfair trade practices that violated an agreement between Japan and the United States. We expect our trading partners to live up to their agreements. As I’ve often said: Our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade.
But you know, in imposing these tariffs, we were just trying to deal with a particular problem, not begin a trade war. So, next week I’ll be giving Prime Minister Nakasone this same message: We want to continue to work cooperatively on trade problems, and want very much to lift these trade restrictions as soon as evidence permits. We want to do this, because we feel both Japan and the United States have an obligation to promote the prosperity and economic development that only free trade can bring.
Now, that message of free trade is one I conveyed to Canada’s leaders a few weeks ago, and it was warmly received there. Indeed, throughout the world, there’s a growing realization that the way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition. Now, there are sound historical reasons for this. For those of us who lived through the Great Depression, the memory of the suffering it caused is deep and searing. And today, many economic analysts and historians argue that high tariff legislation passed back in that period, called the Smoot-Hawley tariff, greatly deepened the depression and prevented economic recovery.
You see, at first, 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. What eventually occurs is: First, homegrown industries start relying on government protection in the form of high tariffs. They stop competing and stop making the innovative management and technological changes they need to succeed in world markets. And then, while all this is going on, something even worse occurs. High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. The result is more and more tariffs, higher and higher trade barriers, and less and less competition. So, soon, because of the prices made artificially high by tariffs that subsidize inefficiency and poor management, people stop buying. Then the worst happens: Markets shrink and collapse; businesses and industries shut down; and millions of people lose their jobs.
The memory of all this occurring back in the ’30s made me determined when I came to Washington to spare the American people the protectionist legislation that destroys prosperity. Now, it hasn’t always been easy. There are those in the Congress, just as there were back in the ’30s, who want to go for the quick political advantage, who will risk America’s prosperity for the sake of a short-term appeal to some special interest group, who forget that more than 5 million American jobs are directly tied to the foreign export business and additional millions are tied to imports. Well, I’ve never forgotten those jobs. And on trade issues, by and large, we’ve done well. In certain select cases, like the Japanese semiconductors, we’ve taken steps to stop unfair practices against American products, but we’ve still maintained our basic, long-term commitment to free trade and economic growth.
So, with my meeting with Prime Minister Nakasone and the Venice economic summit coming up, it’s terribly important not to restrict a president’s options in such trade dealings with foreign governments. Unfortunately, some in the Congress are trying to do exactly that. I’ll keep you informed on this dangerous legislation, because it’s just another form of protectionism and I may need your help to stop it. Remember, America’s jobs, and growth, are at stake.
Until next week, thanks for listening, and God bless you."
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/24/trump-canada-tariff-reagan-trade.html
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff commercial - TheVat - Oct 25, 2025
Trump doesn't handle reminders well that iconic Republicans like Ronnie wouldn't much approve of him. So we get spiteful foreign policy that's all about the Grand Turnip's bruised ego. He wouldn't even have run for his first term if Obama hadn't made a joke about him at the WH Correspondent's Dinner back in the early teens.
It's good to see you contributing here, MR. Wegs was saying kind things about you over at SF dot com.
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Magical Realist - Oct 25, 2025
Good to see you Vat. I'm glad wegs is reporting good things about me. I spend alot of time here now as well as on Facebook. I also have a free Substack page I post my writings on. Yeah, it's pretty much a non-stop slamfest here with a few MAGA borg promptly rushing in to defend rather poorly every little thing their Fuhrer does and says. 3 more years...ugh! lol
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Syne - Oct 25, 2025
Taken out of the full context.
Trump’s post followed a statement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute saying that it was pursuing potential legal options over Ontario’s use of the audio. The foundation encouraged people to watch Reagan’s full remarks on its YouTube channel.
- https://www.dailywire.com/news/canada-caves-ontario-to-yank-fake-reagan-ad-after-pressure-from-trump
My fellow Americans, Prime Minister Nakasoni of Japan will be visiting me here at the White House next week. It's an important visit because while I expect to take up our relations with our good friend Japan, which overall remain excellent, recent disagreements between our two countries on the issue of trade will also be high on our agenda. As perhaps you've heard, last week I placed new duties on some Japanese products in response to Japan's inability to enforce their trade agreement with us on electronic devices called semiconductors.
Now, imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loathed to take. And in a moment, I'll mention the sound economic reasons for this: that over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. But the Japanese semiconductors were a special case. We had clear evidence that Japanese companies were engaging in unfair trade practices that violated an agreement between Japan and the United States. We expect our trading partners to live up to their agreements. As I've often said, our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade. But, you know, in imposing these tariffs, we were just trying to deal with a particular problem, not begin a trade war.
I see another TDS sufferer has joined in. 9_9
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Magical Realist - Oct 25, 2025
Nothing that commercial quoted Reagan as saying is changed whatsoever by anything else he said in that speech. He was totally for free trade, against tariff wars, and explained why in totally understandable terms. Trump just blew a gasket because it showed him to be the fake republican poser he really is. And now Canada knows it as well as all Americans. You can't threaten the truth away.
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Syne - Oct 25, 2025
Well, some people can't comprehend simple English. 9_9
Like people who foreshadow their own whining by projecting it on others first.
Reagan literally said: "last week I placed new duties on some Japanese products... Now, imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loathed to take... But the Japanese semiconductors were a special case. We had clear evidence that Japanese companies were engaging in unfair trade practices..."
He literally said he imposed tariffs himself.
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Magical Realist - Oct 25, 2025
He also said this:
"Now, imposing such tariffs or trade barriers and restrictions of any kind are steps that I am loathed to take."
IOW he was against imposing tariffs and had to in this one case. And he explains why he was against tariffs. Trump is a phoney. And you're a moron in trying to defend him. Were you even born when Reagan was president?
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - C C - Oct 25, 2025
Reagan's speech is against trade barriers or high tariffs in general (widespread economic conflict). But allows for a particular exception now and then to correct things, when partners are violating agreements or there is an unfair trade action against the US (as was the case with Japan).
Doug Ford under fire after Trump terminates Canada trade talks (excerpt): In Reagan’s full remarks the president was highly critical of tariffs, commenting: “The memory of all this occurring back in the ‘30s made me determined when I came back to Washington to spare the American people the protectionist legislation that destroys prosperity.” However he did also argue that specific tariffs could be justified in response to what he deemed unfair trade practices, citing the then Japanese policy on semiconductors.
But there is really no stipulation or limit stated, it is just assumed that it would have to be an "occasional tariff response" in order to avoid the appearance of worldwide commercial warfare. "We were just trying to deal with a particular problem [Japan], not begin a trade war."
Trump's plan (below) apparently contends that there were multiple unjust practices simultaneously occurring against the US. So in order to avoid inconsistency with Reagan being against all-out trade war, Trump would have to be expanding the "occasional tariff response" to accommodate reciprocation against many unfair practices that are transpiring at once. But again, the "occasional" constriction is implied, it is not specifically or clearly stated by Reagan.
Both views could have blind spots. Reagan's might be pretending either that there is never justification for massive responses or even that one or more countries just have to bite the bullet and endure tariffs against them so to avoid triggering a global maze of economic retaliation.
Trump's might be playing fast with language or conceptual interpretation, that the corrective plan below is not triggering what could qualify as a widespread battleground of protectionism (so to jibe with Reagan). Not really the plan itself, but perhaps Trump's current instance of and approach to defending slash shielding it (contending that it isn't contrary to Reagan).
Trump's anger at the ad and Doug Ford's defense of it revolves around the belief that: “They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court,” wrote Trump, referring to a major pending case that threatens to cancel some of his biggest tariffs.
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” on Trade
https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-announces-fair-and-reciprocal-plan-on-trade
https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/reciprocal-trade-and-tariffs/
https://ktslaw.com/en/insights/alert/2025/2/us%20introduces%20fair%20and%20reciprocal%20plan%20marking%20a%20significant%20and%20impactful%20shift%20in%20trade%20policy
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Magical Realist - Oct 25, 2025
The mere fact that Trump reacted with such anger and false accusations of fakery over what Reagan said shows he is not at all in line with his free trade doctrine which was clearly explained. Tariffs rather as weapons of extortion to bully other countries into submission for America's sole profit. The very protectionism Reagan explicitly despised:
"Ronald Reagan believed free trade was a path to prosperity and said, "protectionism is not the way to resolve our trade imbalance". He argued that "free trade is the key to a more prosperous future and that protectionism protects no one". Reagan also stated that "our economic system—based on individual freedom, private initiative, and free trade—has produced more human progress than any other in history".
RE: Manbaby has a hissy over Canada's anti-tariff TV commercial - Syne - Oct 25, 2025
Reagan said, "our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade." Fair trade is the exact reasoning Trump gives for imposing tariffs. If other countries have higher tariffs, or other trade obstacles, they are actually the ones initiating protectionist policies. That's not free, fair trade. Not sure how else to get other countries to be less protectionist other than showing them that it can be a mutually harming strategy.
If less protectionist policies are good for America, they're good for every other country, right? @_@
(Oct 25, 2025 05:07 AM)Magical Realist Wrote: Were you even born when Reagan was president?If you only knew. 9_9
(Oct 25, 2025 05:25 AM)Magical Realist Wrote: Tariffs rather as weapons of extortion to bully other countries into submission for America's sole profit.Not sure how it profits America when tariffs literally mean higher prices for Americans. But one benefit to fair trade is that we're less likely to exploit poorer countries for cheaper goods when those goods are more expensive, due to tariffs.
Personally, I think Trump is trying to temper US economic growth, so there can be a boom not long before the mid-term elections. If all the tariffs were gone today, the economy would take off, which could risk it lulling prior to the mid-terms. The party in power is always blamed for the economy, with a good economy more likely to yield GOP mid-term gains.