US President Donald Trump has stated he is increasing tariffs on goods imported from Canada following the airing of an anti-tariff advertisement that features former President Ronald Reagan. Trump condemned the advertisement as a 'fraud' and expressed his frustration that Canadian officials did not remove it in time for the World Series baseball championship.
On social media, Trump announced, 'Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.'
His remarks come after Trump abruptly withdrew from trade negotiations with Canada, sparking further disputes. In a statement, Ontario Premier Doug Ford mentioned that he would pause the anti-tariff campaign in the US during trade discussions but allowed it to run over the weekend during the World Series.
Currently, Canada is the only G7 country without an agreement with the US regarding tariffs—Trump has previously imposed a hefty 35% general tariff on all Canadian goods, with specific additional levies applied to sectors such as metals and automobiles.
Three-quarters of Canadian exports are directed to the US, with Ontario being crucial for Canada's automobile manufacturing industry. The provoked advertisement includes quotes from Ronald Reagan asserting that tariffs 'hurt every American.' It has led to criticisms from the Ronald Reagan Foundation for allegedly misrepresenting his messages.
Trump's decision to hike tariffs coincides with upcoming US Supreme Court hearings regarding the constitutionality of his tariff policies, which adds another layer of urgency to the ongoing trade issues. In a light-hearted exchange, Ford and California Governor Gavin Newsom discussed their upcoming bets on the World Series while referencing tariffs.
As the tensions unfold, both Trump and Ford seem to be making headlines, contributing to the mounting complexities between US-Canada trade relations.
