US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that he would increase tariffs on Canada by an additional 10 per cent, in response to a Canadian government advertisement that aired during the World Series. The ad, featuring former President Ronald Reagan, was criticised by Trump for being misleading, leading to the suspension of trade talks between Washington and Ottawa.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the tariff increase, referencing the controversial ad that portrayed Reagan warning against tariffs, claiming they lead to economic hardship and trade wars. The ad was initially aired on Thursday and continued to run, despite Trump’s objections, prompting the president to accuse Canada of airing “fraudulent” content. The advertisement had been circulating for several days prior to Trump’s reaction, and was scheduled to air again during Game 1 of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, confirmed on Friday that the ad campaign would be paused on Monday to allow for the resumption of trade talks.
The advertisement featured a spliced-together message from Reagan, claiming tariffs harm the economy and lead to job losses. However, the ad did not clarify that Reagan’s remarks were made in the context of his administration’s own tariffs on Japan, which he had characterised as an exceptional, necessary measure rather than a broader policy shift away from free trade.
Trump, who was en route to Malaysia aboard Air Force One, expressed frustration with the Canadian campaign, calling it a “hostile act” and demanding its immediate removal. Despite this, he made it clear that there were no plans to meet with Prime Minister Carney during his upcoming Asia trip.
While the majority of Canadian exports to the US are covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and exempt from tariffs, some sectors are still facing heavy duties, including a 35 per cent tariff on goods outside the agreement and a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium.
Although Canada has expressed willingness to resume trade talks, the diplomatic situation remains tense. Trump’s announcement of a tariff increase adds another layer to the ongoing trade dispute, which has strained relations between the two countries since the beginning of his presidency.