Trump Plans 10% Tariff Hike
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he intends to impose an extra 10% tariff on Canadian imports, following a television advertisement aired by the Canadian province of Ontario criticizing U.S. tariffs. The ad, which quoted former President Ronald Reagan, aired during the first game of the World Series on Friday.
“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 said on Truth Social from Air Force One en route to Malaysia. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.”
Ontario Responds
Ontario Premier Doug Ford had previously stated he would remove the ad after the weekend. The ad reportedly misrepresented Reagan’s position on tariffs, prompting Trump to claim it was a politically motivated attempt to influence the U.S. Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear arguments on the president’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs.
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Impact on Canada
Canada’s economy has been significantly affected by U.S. tariffs, with more than three-quarters of exports heading to the U.S. daily. Current rates include:
- 35% on many Canadian goods
- 50% on steel and aluminum
- 10% on energy products
- Exemptions under the USMCA trade agreement, which Trump now seeks to review
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been attempting to negotiate with the U.S. to reduce tariffs. Trump and Carney are both scheduled to attend the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, though Trump has said he does not plan to meet with Carney during the event.
Trump Criticizes the Ad
Trump argued that the Ontario ad misrepresented Reagan, a revered figure in the Republican Party, who had historically opposed tariffs in his addresses. The president claimed the ad was a “hostile act” and framed it as an affront to his economic strategy, which heavily relies on tariffs to protect American industries.
The timing of the tariff increase and its scope—including whether it would apply to all Canadian goods—remain unclear. The announcement adds further strain to U.S.-Canada trade relations, already tense amid ongoing disputes over tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods.
