Trump Hikes Tariffs on Canada in Response to "Reagan Ad"

US President Donald Trump announced that he would increase tariffs on goods imported from Canada by 10 percent above current rates. This sharp decision came in response to the Canadian province of Ontario broadcasting an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former US President Ronald Reagan.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump described the advertisement as a "fraud" and criticized Canadian officials for not removing it before the World Series. He wrote: "Because of their dangerous misrepresentation of the facts, and their hostile action, I will be increasing tariffs on Canada by 10 percent over what they are currently paying."

Ontario's Retreat and Trump's Insistence

• Promise to Remove: Following Trump's withdrawal from trade talks with Canada on Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that he would halt the anti-tariff ad campaign sponsored by his province, stating he made the decision after discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney "so that trade talks can resume."

• Continued Broadcast: However, Ford added that the campaign would continue through the weekend, including during the World Series games (between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers).

• Trump's Anger: Trump fiercely criticized the continued broadcast during the tournament, suggesting the ad should have been removed "immediately."

Ad Content and Trade Status

• The Reagan Ad: The Ontario-sponsored advertisement quotes former Republican President Ronald Reagan saying that tariffs "hurt every American." The Ronald Reagan Foundation criticized the ad for using "selective audio and video" and misrepresenting Reagan's speech.

• Current Tariffs: The US currently imposes tariffs on specific sectors of Canadian goods, such as a 50 percent tax on metals and 25 percent on cars, in addition to a 35 percent tax on all goods, though most are exempt. Trump appears to be adding the new 10 percent on top of these taxes.

• Judicial Pressure: Trump also accused Canada of attempting to manipulate a forthcoming US Supreme Court case that will decide next month whether these tariffs are constitutional, alleging the Reagan ad was designed to "interfere" with the crucial case.

Marginal Diplomacy

Trump and Carney will both attend the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, but Trump told accompanying journalists on Air Force One that he does not plan to meet with the Canadian Prime Minister during the trip.