🔗 Share this article

President Donald Trump has declared he is hiking duties on goods shipped from Canadian sources after the region of Ontario aired an anti-tariff commercial featuring late President Ronald Reagan.

In a social media update on the weekend, Trump labeled the advertisement a "deception" and criticized Canadian officials for not taking down it before the World Series.

"Due to their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and unfriendly action, I am hiking the duty on Canadian goods by 10% in addition to what they are being charged now," Trump posted.

After Trump on last Thursday ended trade talks with Canada, the Ontario's leader announced he would pull the advert.

Ontario Reaction

Doug Ford Doug Ford said on last Friday that he would halt his region's anti-import tax ad campaign in the United States, telling the media that he made the decision after discussions with PM the Canadian PM "to ensure commercial discussions can continue".

He also said it would still run during the weekend, including contests for the MLB finals, which features the Toronto Blue Jays versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trade Background

The Canadian nation is the sole G7 country that has not achieved a arrangement with the US since Trump began attempting to impose high tariffs on goods from primary trade partners.

The US has previously imposed a 35 percent levy on every Canadian items - though the majority are excluded under an existing free trade agreement. It has also imposed industry-specific levies on Canadian goods, such as a fifty percent tax on metals and 25 percent on vehicles.

In his message, sent while he was traveling to Malaysia, Trump indicated he was adding an additional 10% to the existing tariffs.

Seventy-five percent of Canada's overseas sales are sent to the United States, and the region is home to the largest share of Canadian vehicle industry.

Ronald Reagan Advertisement Information

The advertisement, which was sponsored by the Ontario government, quotes late President Reagan, a GOP member and symbol of American conservatism, saying tariffs "harm every American".

The commercial includes segments from a 1987 radio speech that addressed international trade.

The Reagan Foundation, which is tasked with preserving the former president's memory, had condemned the advertisement for using "selective" sound and footage and said it distorted the former president's address. It further noted the provincial government had not obtained consent to use it.

Continuing Tensions

In his post on Truth Social on the weekend, Trump said that the commercial should have been pulled down earlier.

"Ontario's Advertisement was to be pulled AT ONCE, but they kept it broadcasting last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a DECEPTION," Trump stated, while traveling to Southeast Asia.

Ford had earlier vowed to run the Ronald Reagan advertisement in all GOP-controlled region in the America.

Each of Trump and the PM will be attending the Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, but Trump advised journalists accompanying him aboard the presidential plane that he does not have any "plan" of conferring with his Canada's leader during the visit.

In his post, Donald Trump further alleged Canada of seeking to affect an upcoming American high court lawsuit which could terminate his whole tax system.

The case, to be heard by the Supreme Court next month, will rule on whether the import taxes are lawful.

On Thursday, Trump further criticized, stating that the advertisement was designed to "tamper" with "THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE EVER"

World Series Link

The advertisement is not the sole way that Ontario – location of the Blue Jays – is using the World Series as a platform to criticise Trump's tariffs.

In a recording shared on last Friday, Ford and California Governor Newsom humorously placed wagers about which team would win the series.

Each official repeatedly teased about import taxes in the clip, with the Premier promising to send the Governor a tin of maple syrup if the LA Dodgers win.

"The import tax might charge me a additional dollars at the border currently, but it'll be justified," Ford said.

In answer, Governor Newsom requested the Premier to continue permitting American drinks to be available in regional beverage outlets, and promised to provide "the state's championship-worthy grape drink" if the Toronto team triumph.

They finished their exchange each declaring: "Cheers to a fantastic baseball championship, and a duty-free relationship between Ontario and California."