U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to announce a 10% tariff increase on Canada, citing an Ontario government advertisement as the reason. Trump accused Canada of running a fraudulent ad using Ronald Reagan’s speech on tariffs. The specific tariffs affected by this announcement are currently unclear, with inquiries made to the White House, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office for more information.
The escalation stems from an Ontario government ad that utilizes Reagan’s words to convey an anti-tariff message to American viewers, prompting Trump to terminate trade discussions with Canada. The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association president, Flavio Volpe, criticized the decision, highlighting the significant impact on American consumers.
Trump’s actions have sparked a dispute over the use of Reagan’s remarks in the ad, with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute expressing concerns about unauthorized editing. Despite Ford’s plan to withdraw the ad after the weekend, it is still set to reach millions of American viewers during the World Series.
Candace Laing, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the detrimental impact of tariffs on American consumers and North American competitiveness. Trump’s claims of Canada seeking Supreme Court intervention regarding tariffs have further intensified the situation, with the Court set to hear arguments in November.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s current trade endeavors in Malaysia, aiming to strengthen ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, coincide with Trump’s actions. Carney’s response to Trump’s trade negotiations termination emphasized readiness to resume talks when beneficial for both countries. Discussions had progressed on sector-specific tariff relief, such as in steel, aluminum, and energy.
The call for direct engagement between U.S. and Canadian officials in trade talks was highlighted by Dominic LeBlanc, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney for failing to secure a trade deal earlier, potentially averting the tariff hike by Trump.