In a fresh escalation of tensions between Washington and Ottawa, US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports, accusing Canada of broadcasting a “fraudulent” advertisement that misrepresented former President Ronald Reagan’s stance on tariffs.
The move adds to an already heavy tariff regime on Canadian goods, with several products currently facing 35% duties, steel and aluminium taxed at 50%, and energy imports at 10%. Trump did not specify which sectors the new 10% increase would target, leaving businesses and trade experts scrambling for clarity.
The dispute stems from an advertisement aired during the MLB World Series, allegedly funded by the Ontario government, that used a clip of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan appearing to speak against tariffs. Trump called the ad “a fraud,” claiming it distorted Reagan’s position and represented “a hostile act” by Canada.
“Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didn’t! Their advertisement was to be taken down immediately, but they let it run… knowing it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote.
According to reports, the ad campaign cost around $75 million and has been running on major American networks for several days. U.S. officials said the White House had formally asked for the ad to be pulled prior to its broadcast during the World Series, but the request went unheeded.
The announcement marks another blow to already tense US-Canada relations. Just a day earlier, Trump had refused to meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney moments before departing the White House for an Asia tour. The two leaders had recently discussed trade, border security, and ongoing negotiations on October 7, talks that now appear to have collapsed entirely.
