President Trump, on Saturday, lashed out at Canada after they aired an ad during the World Series, which he claims suggests an additional 10% tariff on top of existing rates. The ad features former President Ronald Reagan discussing “free and fair trade,” notably his decisions on tariffs against Japan in 1987. Critics argue the Ontario government’s ad misrepresents Reagan’s words, especially since it aired during the first game of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Trump stated, “President Ronald Reagan supported tariffs for national security and economic reasons, but Canada disagrees! They should have pulled these ads right away, yet they played them during the World Series, knowing they were misleading.” He went on to announce a 10% increase in tariffs on Canada due to what he described as “gross factual errors and hostile behavior.”
Currently, steel and aluminum products from Canada incur a 50% tariff, while other items face a 35% tariff, although those governed by the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement remain exempt.
The White House has yet to comment on how this new 10% tariff will be implemented. Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that the ads would be taken down on Monday, aiming to resume trade discussions following a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, the ads would still air during the first two games of the weekend’s World Series.
In the ad, Reagan is seen saying, “When someone says, ‘Let’s put tariffs on foreign imports,’ it appears they’re acting patriotically to protect American jobs. This might work temporarily, but it’s short-lived.” He also cautions that trade barriers ultimately hurt American workers and consumers over time—statements that predate the ad’s main message.
Ford has frequently lobbied against the Trump administration’s tariff increases, even threatening to cut off electricity exports to the U.S. earlier this year. He reaffirmed that Canada and the U.S. share a strong friendship, stating, “President Ronald Reagan understood that we are stronger together,” and directed followers to a full video of Reagan’s speech.
Trump also implied that the ad may be influencing the Supreme Court’s decision regarding his tariff policies. He remarked, “This ad’s fraudulent intent seems aimed at persuading the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn tariffs that Canada has imposed on us for years.” He concluded by asserting that the U.S. has the right to protect itself from Canada’s tariffs as well as from those of other countries, indicating his plans to attend the Supreme Court’s oral arguments due to their potential impact on his foreign policy.
