Michael Reagan, son of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, is making it clear—he doesn’t appreciate people using his father’s words to criticize Donald Trump’s trade policies.
As debates over Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China heat up, some have pointed to a 1987 speech by President Reagan in which he called tariffs “stupid.”
But Michael Reagan says times have changed, and his father’s stance would have evolved too.
The Reagan Legacy Foundation Leader Defends Trump’s Tariff Strategy
Michael, who runs the Reagan Legacy Foundation, took to social media to set the record straight.
He acknowledged that his father did speak out against tariffs during his presidency—but that was four decades ago, under completely different circumstances.
“It is a different time with a different POTUS,” he wrote, urging critics to “quit using my father to bash Trump.”
He even suggested that many who now praise Reagan were once just as critical of him as they are of Trump.
“You treated him like you are treating Trump today,” he pointed out. His message to Trump’s opponents? Give him time and step aside.
The 1987 Speech That Sparked Debate
The controversy started when JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon began circulating an old video of President Reagan warning against retaliatory tariffs.
“If one partner shoots a hole in the boat, does it make sense for the other one to shoot another hole in the boat? Well, I call it stupid,” Reagan said during a speech at Camp David.
Critics of Trump’s trade policies saw this as a perfect counterpoint to his aggressive tariff strategy.
But Michael Reagan quickly countered by sharing examples of his father’s own trade restrictions, including tariffs imposed on Japanese goods in 1987.
“Remember, my dad ended up kicking your a**es,” he quipped.
Trump’s Tariff Battle with Canada and Mexico Continues
Meanwhile, Trump is pressing forward with his trade war, taking aim at Canada’s lumber and dairy industries.
“Canada has been ripping us off for years,” Trump said from the Oval Office, threatening new tariffs that could be imposed as early as this week.
His administration recently introduced 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, sparking a heated trade dispute.
But in a surprising turn, Trump announced a temporary pause, allowing tariff-free trade under the USMCA agreement until April 2.
He framed the delay as a sign of goodwill toward Mexico’s incoming president, Claudia Sheinbaum, citing cooperation on border security and the fight against fentanyl trafficking.
White House Considers Exemptions for Auto Imports and More
In another move to ease tensions, the White House granted a one-month exemption for auto imports from Canada and Mexico.
Trump had met with major automakers—including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—before deciding to hold off on imposing tariffs.
However, the administration is standing firm that reciprocal tariffs will still take effect on April 2.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also hinted that Canada could receive additional exemptions.
But with global markets reacting negatively and trade partners imposing their own retaliatory tariffs, the trade battle is far from over.
Trump Signals Possible Tariffs on Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict
Beyond North America, Trump is also eyeing economic pressure on Russia.
He recently warned that he is “strongly considering” imposing new banking sanctions and tariffs on Moscow unless a peace deal is reached in Ukraine.
His post on Truth Social made it clear: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
This marks a shift in tone from Trump’s earlier comments, where he had expressed trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested Moscow should be reinstated in the G7.
A senior administration official stated that Trump’s frustration with Russia has grown as the conflict intensifies.
The Trade War Is Just Beginning
While the temporary exemptions and diplomatic negotiations may provide some breathing room, the broader trade war is far from over.
April 2 remains a key deadline for the implementation of reciprocal tariffs, and tensions with both allies and adversaries continue to escalate.
For now, Michael Reagan wants one thing to be clear—his father’s name shouldn’t be used as a weapon against Trump’s policies.
The political and economic landscape has changed, and, in his view, so would Ronald Reagan’s perspective.