U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to announce a 10% increase in tariffs on Canada beyond the current rates, citing an Ontario government advertisement as the reason. Trump accused Canada of airing a deceptive ad featuring Ronald Reagan’s speech on tariffs during the World Series, despite being instructed to remove it immediately. The specific tariffs targeted by Trump’s announcement remain undisclosed, prompting inquiries from CBC News to various offices for clarification.
In response, Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, highlighted the significant impact on American consumers due to the ad-related dispute. The advertisement, featuring Reagan’s anti-tariff message, has triggered a sharp escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
The Ontario government’s commercial, utilizing Reagan’s words, has drawn criticism from Trump, who terminated trade discussions with Canada, labeling the ad as fraudulent and fake. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute also expressed disapproval, stating that the Ontario government did not seek permission to use Reagan’s remarks.
Despite Ford’s announcement to pull the ad from U.S. screens, millions are expected to view it during the World Series. Candace Laing of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce emphasized the adverse effects of tariffs on American and North American competitiveness, urging diplomatic resolution and further negotiations to maintain a successful free trade zone.
Trump’s social media post alleged that Canada’s actions were aimed at involving the U.S. Supreme Court in a case challenging the constitutionality of broad-based tariffs imposed on several countries. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in November, potentially impacting the tariffs imposed by Trump.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney is exploring trade opportunities with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Malaysia, coinciding with Trump’s upcoming visit. Carney’s response to Trump’s termination of trade talks emphasized readiness to resume discussions for mutual benefits, particularly in sectors like steel, aluminum, and energy.
LeBlanc, the minister handling Canada-U.S. trade, stressed the importance of direct engagement between Washington and Ottawa for progress. However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for failing to secure a trade deal by a self-imposed deadline, attributing the latest tariff hike to broken promises.
