Photo Credit: Getty Images
Tensions between Washington and Ottawa flared again on Saturday after Donald Trump declared a new 10% tariff on Canadian goods. The move came after Ontario aired a World Series advertisement quoting former US President Ronald Reagan praising free trade — a clip Trump dismissed as "fraudulent" and "hostile."
Posting on Truth Social from Air Force One, Trump accused the ad's creators of twisting Reagan's words to make the US appear protectionist. "Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts," he wrote, "I am increasing the tariff on Canada by 10% over what they are paying now."
The 60-second ad, funded by the Ontario government, used excerpts from Reagan's 1987 radio address, where he warned that "trade barriers hurt every American worker." It aired during the opening game of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, and immediately caught the president's attention.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford later said the campaign would be paused, following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Both leaders signaled a willingness to resume trade discussions that had stalled earlier in the week.
The Reagan Presidential Foundation criticised Ontario for using the footage without permission, claiming it had been selectively edited and taken out of context. The foundation said it was "reviewing legal options," a detail Trump cited to reinforce his tariff announcement.
Speaking from Malaysia, where both leaders are attending the ASEAN Summit, Carney said Canada was "ready to rebuild momentum" in trade talks while expanding relationships with other markets. "We'll continue focusing on what's best for Canadian workers and families," he told reporters.
This latest escalation follows a series of levies imposed by Washington this year, including a 35% tariff on Canadian goods outside the USMCA deal and steep sector taxes on metals and automobiles.
Canadian business groups urged restraint, warning that tariff battles hurt both sides. "Tariffs are a tax on North America's competitiveness," said Candace Laing of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "We hope cooler heads prevail."
Still, Ford attempted to lighten the tension online, joking with California Governor Gavin Newsom about sending syrup or wine depending on who wins the World Series.
