🔗 Share this article

President Donald Trump has declared he is raising import taxes on items imported from Canada after the region of the Ontario government broadcast an anti-import tax advertisement including late President Ronald Reagan.

In a Truth Social update on Saturday, the President called the commercial a "fraud" and condemned Canadian authorities for not removing it prior to the World Series.

"Due to their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am hiking the import tax on Canada by 10% on top of what they are currently paying now," he stated.

Following Donald Trump on Thursday ended commercial discussions with Canada, the Ontario's leader stated he would remove the advertisement.

Ontario Response

Ontario Leader Doug Ford said on Friday that he would halt his province's anti-tariff advertisement campaign in the US, advising reporters that he made the decision after consultations with Prime Minister Carney "to ensure trade negotiations can restart".

He added it would remain broadcast during the weekend, during matches for the MLB finals, which involves the Toronto team against the LA team.

Economic Context

The Canadian nation is the sole G7 country that has not achieved a arrangement with the US since the President started trying to levy steep duties on goods from key commercial allies.

The United States has earlier enforced a thirty-five percent levy on each Canada's items - though many are exempt under an current commercial pact. It has furthermore applied targeted taxes on Canada's items, featuring a 50 percent duty on metal products and twenty-five percent on cars.

In his post, sent while he was traveling to Malaysia, Trump indicated he was including an additional 10% to these duties.

75% of Canadian exports are sent to the America, and the region is home to the bulk of Canadian automobile manufacturing.

Ronald Reagan Ad Particulars

The advertisement, which was sponsored by the Ontario government, cites former US President Ronald Reagan, a Republican and figure of US conservatism, remarking tariffs "hurt every American".

The video uses clips from a 1987 radio speech that focused on international trade.

The Ronald Reagan Foundation, which is tasked with protecting the ex-president's legacy, had condemned the advertisement for using "edited" sound and footage and said it distorted Reagan's 1987 remarks. It further noted the Ontario government had not requested permission to use it.

Ongoing Disputes

In his update on Truth Social on the weekend, the President claimed that the advertisement should have been pulled down before.

"The Commercial was to be pulled AT ONCE, but they allowed it to air last night during the MLB finals, knowing that it was a LIE," he wrote, while flying to Southeast Asia.

Ford had earlier pledged to run the Ronald Reagan commercial in each GOP-controlled region in the America.

Both Donald Trump and Mark Carney will be going to the ASEAN in Malaysia, but the President informed the media accompanying him aboard the presidential plane that he does not have any "intention" of speaking with his Canadian PM during the journey.

In his post, the President further accused Canadian officials of seeking to manipulate an future US Supreme Court case which could terminate his entire tariff regime.

The lawsuit, to be considered by the highest US court next month, will rule on whether the tariffs are legal.

On last Thursday, Trump also condemned, claiming that the commercial was created to "tamper" with "THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE EVER"

MLB Finals Link

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

In a clip shared on Friday, Doug Ford and Governor Gavin Newsom humorously agreed on stakes about which club would win the series.

Both men consistently joked about import taxes in the clip, with the Premier vowing to provide Gavin Newsom a container of maple syrup if the LA Dodgers succeed.

"The tariff might charge me a higher price at the frontier nowadays, but it'll be justified," Ford said.

In reply, Newsom suggested the Premier to resume allowing American drinks to be marketed in Ontario liquor stores, and promised to provide "the state's championship-worthy grape drink" if the Blue Jays win.

They ended their dialogue each saying: "Cheers to a excellent MLB finals, and a tax-free friendship between the region and the state."