Trump Hikes Duties on Canada's Goods Following Reagan Ad

The President flying on the presidential aircraft
Trump stated the tax hike while flying to Malaysia on Saturday

Donald Donald Trump has announced he is increasing import taxes on goods brought in from Canadian sources after the province of the Ontario government ran an anti-import tax advertisement using former President Ronald Reagan.

In a online message on the weekend, the President described the commercial a "fraud" and criticized Canada's leaders for not pulling it prior to the MLB finals.

"Because of their major falsification of the facts, and unfriendly action, I am raising the duty on Canada by 10% on top of what they are paying now," he stated.

After Trump on Thursday pulled out of commercial discussions with Canadian officials, the Ontario's leader stated he would take down the advertisement.

Ontario's Response

Ontario Premier Ford announced on Friday that he would suspend his province's anti-import tax advertisement campaign in the America, informing reporters that he decided after consultations with PM Carney "to ensure trade talks can continue".

He added it would continue to air over the weekend, featuring games for the World Series, which features the Toronto Blue Jays facing the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trade Background

Canada is the exclusive Group of Seven nation that has not reached a agreement with the US since Trump started seeking to charge high duties on products from key trade partners.

The United States has already enforced a 35 percent duty on every Canadian goods - though most are excluded under an current free trade agreement. It has also applied sector-specific taxes on Canadian goods, such as a fifty percent tax on metals and twenty-five percent on automobiles.

In his update, published while he was flying to Southeast Asia, Donald Trump indicated he was including an additional 10% to the existing tariffs.

75% of Canadian exports are shipped to the United States, and the region is host to the largest share of Canada's automobile manufacturing.

Ronald Reagan Advertisement Information

The commercial, which was paid for by the Ontario authorities, references ex-President Ronald Reagan, a GOP member and symbol of conservative values, stating tariffs "damage American citizens".

The commercial uses clips from a 1987-era national radio address that addressed foreign trade.

The Reagan Foundation, which is tasked with maintaining the late president's legacy, had condemned the advertisement for using "selective" recordings and claimed it falsified Reagan's 1987 speech. It also said the provincial government had not requested permission to use it.

Continuing Tensions

In his post on his platform on Saturday, Trump stated that the advertisement should have been removed sooner.

"Their Ad was to be removed IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run yesterday during the MLB finals, knowing that it was a FRAUD," he posted, while traveling to Malaysia.

Doug Ford had before pledged to air the Reagan commercial in every Republican-led district in the United States.

Each of Trump and Carney will be participating in the Southeast Asian summit in Malaysia, but the President informed journalists accompanying him aboard Air Force One that he does not have any "plan" of conferring with his Canadian counterpart during the visit.

In his update, Donald Trump also claimed Canada of attempting to manipulate an future American high court legal case which could halt his complete tax system.

The lawsuit, to be considered by the Supreme Court soon, will rule on whether the tariffs are constitutional.

On last Thursday, Donald Trump also lashed out, saying that the advertisement was created to "meddle" with "a crucial lawsuit"

MLB Finals Association

The Reagan ad is not the only way that Ontario – base of the Toronto Blue Jays – is using the World Series as a platform to condemn Donald Trump's import taxes.

In a recording posted on last Friday, the Premier and Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom playfully agreed on stakes about which team would win the finals.

The two leaders consistently joked about import taxes in the clip, with the Premier vowing to deliver the Governor a can of Canadian syrup if the Los Angeles team succeed.

"The duty might charge me a few extra bucks at the frontier these days, but it'll be worth it," he wrote.

In response, Newsom suggested Ford to resume enabling American alcohol to be marketed in province liquor stores, and promised to provide "the state's top-quality grape drink" if the Blue Jays succeed.

They finished their conversation both stating: "Here's to a excellent World Series, and a tariff-free alliance between Ontario and California."

George Brown
George Brown

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast, Elara shares her experiences and insights to inspire others in the digital world.