What did Ronald Reagan really say about tariffs? Trump-Canada spat continues

When Ronald Reagan spoke about tariffs in the spring of 1987, he didn’t mince his words. The 40th U.S. president – then confronting Japan over unfair semiconductor practices – warned that protectionism might seem patriotic at first, but it “hurts every American worker and consumer” in the long run.

That message, delivered in an April 25, 1987 radio address, is at the heart of a sudden diplomatic and political clash between Washington and Ottawa.

What did Canada’s Reagan ad say?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government recently spent $75 million on an ad campaign across the U.S. quoting Reagan’s warning about tariffs – apparently as a dig at Donald Trump’s protectionist agenda. The spot features Reagan’s voice over scenes of American workers and families, ending with his line about tariffs “hurting every American worker and consumer.”

How did Trump react to Canada Reagan ad?

Trump erupted. On Thursday night, he announced he was “terminating all trade negotiations with Canada,” accusing Ottawa of using “a fake” Reagan clip to sway the outcome of a U.S. Supreme Court case that could determine the legality of his tariff policies.

“The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, but failed, deliberately, to point out what was misleading about the ads.

Ronald Reagan’s words on tariffs “hurting Americans”

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute quickly confirmed that the ad had indeed edited the former president’s words without permission. But, as you can listen for yourself below – something the foundation encourages all Americans to do – in the full 1987 address, Reagan does criticize tariffs, while also acknowledging having imposed some limited ones himself, stressing they were a reluctant, temporary response to Japan’s “unfair trade practices.”

“I am loath to take” such steps, Reagan said at the time, adding that protectionist measures “inevitably lead to retaliation” and “destroy prosperity.”

For Reagan, free trade was both principle and policy – an ideal that required fairness, not blanket restrictions. Ford insists his province “got the message right.” Trump, meanwhile, insists Canada’s message was manipulation. For anyone in doubt, I’d recommend listening to the ad and Reagan’s words rather than the political spin.

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