Trump Raises Tariffs on Canada Amid Controversial Ad Dispute
On Saturday, President Donald Trump declared he would increase tariffs on Canada by 10%. This announcement came after Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government decided to air an anti-tariff advertisement featuring a critical stance on tariffs, which had already made its debut during Game 2 of the World Series.
Ford had mentioned on Friday that his administration would pull the controversial ad after Trump announced the termination of trade negotiations with Canada. The ad included a voiceover of former President Ronald Reagan, which strongly criticized “high tariffs” and “protectionist” policies, using a reworked segment from Reagan’s 1987 radio address.
Despite intentions to withdraw the ad, Ford stated he had instructed his team to let it play until the conclusion of Saturday’s game, paralleling a strategy Trump characterized as “dirty play.” The ad had also aired during Game 1 on Friday night.
As Trump was about to embark on a trip to Asia on Friday, he expressed to reporters that the Ontario government could have stopped the ad earlier. “Tonight,” he added, “I can play dirtier than them, you know.”
On Saturday, Trump confirmed the 10% tariff increase on Canada. He criticized the ad on Truth Social, claiming it should have been withdrawn immediately. “They let it run last night during the World Series, knowing it was a scam,” he wrote. He cited “gross factual errors and hostile actions” as reasons for this tariff hike.
The ad was a substantial investment at CAD 75 million (around $54 million), funded by Ontario taxpayers. Ford emphasized that the decision to air the ad was meant to encourage discussions about the economic landscape and the influence tariffs have on American workers and businesses.
In light of the ad’s release, Trump announced on Truth Social that all trade negotiations with Canada were over due to what he described as “egregious conduct.” He reiterated the importance of tariffs for national security and the economy.
The ad included edited audio from Reagan, warning of the negative consequences of high tariffs, such as potential job losses and economic downturns. The final message from Reagan underscored the importance of jobs and growth in America.
Notably, the ongoing 2025 World Series features the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Blue Jays being the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball.
Ford, who leads Ontario and has had a history of public controversy, did not respond to requests for commentary following the unfolding events. Meanwhile, the White House also did not immediately provide feedback.
