🔗 Share this article

President Trump has stated he is hiking tariffs on goods imported from Canadian sources after the territory of Ontario ran an anti-tariff ad including former President Ronald Reagan.

In a social media message on the weekend, Trump described the advert a "misrepresentation" and criticized Canada's authorities for not taking down it ahead of the baseball championship.

"Because of their significant misrepresentation of the truth, and aggressive move, I am raising the duty on Canada by ten percent on top of what they are paying now," Trump posted.

Following Donald Trump on last Thursday pulled out of trade talks with Canada, the Ontario's leader announced he would take down the commercial.

Ontario's Reaction

Doug Ford Ford declared on Friday that he would suspend his region's anti-import tax commercial series in the US, informing reporters that he decided after consultations with PM the Canadian PM "in order that trade talks can resume".

He noted it would continue to air on Saturday and Sunday, including games for the World Series, which involves the Toronto team versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Economic Background

Canada is the exclusive G7 nation nation that has not secured a arrangement with the United States since Donald Trump commenced attempting to levy steep duties on products from major trade partners.

The America has previously enforced a 35 percent levy on all Canadian items - though many are excluded under an existing trade deal. It has also applied sector-specific duties on Canada's items, including a fifty percent duty on metal products and twenty-five percent on cars.

In his update, sent while he was flying to Malaysia, Donald Trump appeared to state he was adding an additional 10% to these duties.

Three-quarters of Canadian overseas sales are sent to the US, and the province is home to the majority of Canadian automobile manufacturing.

Ronald Reagan Ad Details

The commercial, which was sponsored by the provincial government, quotes ex-President Ronald Reagan, a conservative icon and symbol of American conservatism, stating tariffs "harm American citizens".

The advertisement takes excerpts from a 1987 radio speech that centered on foreign trade.

The Reagan Foundation, which is tasked with preserving the ex-president's legacy, had criticised the commercial for using "carefully chosen" recordings and stated it misrepresented the former president's speech. It also said the Ontario authorities had not requested permission to use it.

Current Conflicts

In his update on social media on Saturday, Trump said that the commercial should have been removed earlier.

"Their Ad was to be removed IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the MLB finals, aware that it was a DECEPTION," he posted, while en route to Malaysia.

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

Both the President and the PM will be attending the Southeast Asian summit in the Malaysian nation, but Trump informed the media joining him on Air Force One that he does not have any "desire" of conferring with his Canada's leader during the trip.

In his message, Donald Trump further accused Canada of attempting to manipulate an forthcoming American high court legal case which could end his complete tariff regime.

The lawsuit, to be heard by the Supreme Court soon, will decide whether the duties are lawful.

On Thursday, Trump also criticized, saying that the advertisement was designed to "meddle" with "a crucial lawsuit"

MLB Finals Connection

The Reagan commercial is not the only way that Ontario – location of the Blue Jays – is using the World Series as a platform to criticize Donald Trump's import taxes.

In a video shared on last Friday, Doug Ford and Governor Gavin Newsom playfully placed wagers about which team would triumph the finals.

The two leaders repeatedly bantered about import taxes in the clip, with Doug Ford promising to send the Governor a tin of Canadian syrup if the LA Dodgers win.

"The duty might cost me a few extra bucks at the border currently, but it'll be acceptable," he wrote.

In response, Newsom requested Doug Ford to continue allowing American-produced alcohol to be sold in province beverage outlets, and vowed to provide "California's championship-worthy grape drink" if the Blue Jays win.

They concluded their conversation both declaring: "Here's to a excellent MLB finals, and a duty-free relationship between the region and California."