Trump Raises Duties on Canadian Products Following Reagan Advertisement

Trump traveling aboard Air Force One
Trump declared the duty hike while en route to Asia on Saturday

Donald Trump has announced he is increasing tariffs on goods shipped from Canadian sources after the region of Ontario ran an anti-import tax advertisement featuring former President Reagan.

In a social media message on the weekend, Trump described the advertisement a "fraud" and condemned Canada's officials for not taking down it prior to the World Series.

"Owing to their major falsification of the facts, and unfriendly action, I am increasing the import tax on Canada by ten percent on top of what they are currently paying now," he wrote.

Following the President on Thursday withdrew from trade talks with Canada, the Ontario's leader said he would take down the commercial.

The Province Response

Ontario Leader Ford announced on last Friday that he would halt his province's anti-tariff advertisement campaign in the US, telling journalists that he made the decision after consultations with the Prime Minister Mark Carney "so that trade negotiations can restart".

He also said it would continue to air during the weekend, featuring contests for the MLB finals, which features the Toronto team against the Dodgers.

Commercial Situation

The Canadian nation is the sole G7 nation that has not achieved a deal with the US since Trump started trying to levy high tariffs on items from major trading partners.

The United States has earlier applied a 35% tax on each Canadian products - though most are excluded under an existing trade deal. It has also applied sector-specific taxes on Canadian products, including a 50% duty on metals and 25% on vehicles.

In his update, posted while he was traveling to Southeast Asia, Donald Trump seemed to say he was including 10 percentage points to those taxes.

75% of Canada's exported goods are sold to the America, and the province is home to the majority of Canada's automobile manufacturing.

Reagan Advertisement Information

The commercial, which was funded by the Ontario authorities, cites former US President Reagan, a Republican and symbol of American conservatism, stating import taxes "damage every American".

The advertisement includes segments from a 1987 national radio address that focused on international trade.

The Reagan Foundation, which is responsible for protecting the ex-president's memory, had criticised the advertisement for using "selective" audio and video and stated it falsified Reagan's 1987 address. It further noted the Ontario authorities had not requested consent to use it.

Current Tensions

In his update on Truth Social on the weekend, Donald Trump said that the advert should have been pulled down before.

"Ontario's Advertisement was to be taken down AT ONCE, but they allowed it to air yesterday during the World Series, aware that it was a LIE," Trump stated, while flying to Malaysia.

Doug Ford had previously pledged to run the Reagan advertisement in all GOP-controlled area in the US.

Each of Donald Trump and Carney will be going to the Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, but Donald Trump told the media traveling with him on Air Force One that he does not have any "desire" of meeting with his Canadian PM during the visit.

In his update, the President additionally claimed Canada of attempting to influence an forthcoming US Supreme Court case which could end his complete tax system.

The case, to be reviewed by the highest US court soon, will rule on whether the tariffs are lawful.

On last Thursday, the President additionally condemned, saying that the advertisement was designed to "tamper" with "the most significant legal case"

MLB Finals Connection

The advertisement is not the only way that the province – home of the Toronto team – is using the MLB finals as a opportunity to criticise Donald Trump's import taxes.

In a video shared on Friday, Doug Ford and Governor Gavin Newsom jokingly made bets about which team would win the series.

Each official repeatedly teased about duties in the video, with the Premier promising to send Gavin Newsom a tin of syrup if the Los Angeles team succeed.

"The import tax might set me back a additional dollars at the border these days, but it'll be worth it," Ford said.

In answer, Governor Newsom asked Ford to restart allowing American-produced drinks to be marketed in Ontario liquor stores, and vowed to send "California's championship-worthy vino" if the Blue Jays win.

They finished their exchange both stating: "Cheers to a great World Series, and a duty-free friendship between Ontario and the state."

Elizabeth Chaney
Elizabeth Chaney

Elara is a digital artist and designer passionate about blending traditional techniques with modern technology to create stunning visuals.