US President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on goods imported from Canada, following the airing of an anti-tariff advertisement by the Ontario government featuring former President Ronald Reagan. Trump characterized the advertisement as misleading and criticized Canadian officials for allowing it to run during the World Series baseball championship.
In a social media post, Trump stated, “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act,” he would raise tariffs on Canadian imports by an additional 10%. This announcement came after Trump’s withdrawal from recent trade negotiations with Canada. In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford indicated he would pause the advertisement campaign after discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to facilitate the resumption of trade talks, although the ad would still run through the weekend during the World Series.
Currently, Canada is the only G7 nation that has not reached a trade agreement with the US since Trump began imposing significant tariffs on goods from major trading partners. The US has already instituted a 35% levy on all Canadian goods, with most items exempt under a pre-existing free trade agreement. Additionally, there are sector-specific tariffs, including a 50% tariff on metals and 25% on automobiles.
The advertisement utilized clips from a 1987 national radio address by Reagan regarding foreign trade, which the Ronald Reagan Foundation criticized for its selective use and lack of authorization. Trump expressed further discontent that the ad aired during the World Series, describing it as a fraudulent effort on Canada’s part.
On a related note, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution to the situation. Following Trump’s tariff announcement, they emphasized that tariffs could impact competitiveness in North America. Meanwhile, Ford and California Governor Gavin Newsom engaged in lighthearted banter about the tariffs tied to the World Series while indicating a desire to maintain a friendly relationship between their regions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2ljgrm78zo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss