Key points
- Ad featured Reagan warning against trade wars
- Most Canadian exports exempt under USMCA deal
- Canada ready to resume trade negotiations
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced that he was increasing tariffs on Canada by an additional 10 percent “above what they’re paying now,” responding once again to an advert aired by Ontario during the World Series broadcast.
On Thursday, Trump had ended trade talks with Ottawa over the ad, which he claimed was misleading. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump referred to the commercial featuring former US President Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs lead to trade wars and economic ruin. The ad had already been running for several days before Trump’s initial reaction on Thursday, reports Reuters.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Friday that, following discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the province would pause the campaign on Monday to allow trade talks to resume.
“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10 percent over and above what they are paying now.”
Trade-focused trip
Trump posted the remarks while aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia for a trade-focused trip across East Asia. The White House, the US Commerce Department, and the Canadian prime minister’s office did not comment.
It remains unclear which goods will be affected, as most Canadian exports to the United States are exempt under the USMCA trade agreement. In August, the Trump administration imposed a 35 percent tariff on non-USMCA goods, while separate 50 percent tariffs on global steel and aluminium have also hurt Canada’s economy.
Carney said Canada was ready to restart talks, though Trump stated he had no plans to meet him at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
