Donald Trump Hikes Import Taxes on Canadian Products After Ronald Reagan Ad

US President Trump has stated he is increasing import taxes on products shipped from Canada after the region of the Ontario government aired an anti-import tax commercial using former President Ronald Reagan.

In a Truth Social post on Saturday, the President described the commercial a "misrepresentation" and lashed out at Canada's leaders for not removing it before the World Series.

"Owing to their major distortion of the facts, and aggressive move, I am hiking the import tax on Canadian goods by ten percent over and above what they are paying now," he wrote.

Following Donald Trump on Thursday ended commercial discussions with Canadian officials, the Ontario premier announced he would pull the advertisement.

Ontario Reaction

Ontario Leader the Premier announced on last Friday that he would pause his region's anti-tariff ad campaign in the United States, telling reporters that he decided after talks with PM Mark Carney "in order that commercial discussions can continue".

He noted it would continue to air during the weekend, including games for the baseball championship, which includes the Toronto team facing the Dodgers.

Trade Background

The Canadian nation is the only G7 nation country that has not secured a deal with the US since the President started trying to impose high duties on products from major trading partners.

The US has already enforced a 35% levy on each Canada's items - though most are free under an current free trade agreement. It has also applied sector-specific levies on Canada's items, including a 50 percent duty on metals and 25 percent on cars.

In his update, posted while he was flying to Southeast Asia, the President indicated he was including an additional 10% to those taxes.

Three-quarters of Canadian exported goods are sent to the US, and the region is the location of the bulk of Canada's automobile manufacturing.

Ronald Reagan Commercial Details

The advert, which was paid for by the provincial government, references late President Reagan, a GOP member and figure of conservative values, stating tariffs "damage all Americans".

The commercial takes excerpts from a 1987 radio speech that centered on international trade.

The Ronald Reagan Foundation, which is tasked with maintaining the ex-president's memory, had condemned the advert for using "selective" audio and video and stated it falsified Reagan's 1987 address. It also said the Ontario government had not requested consent to use it.

Ongoing Disputes

In his update on social media on the weekend, Trump claimed that the advertisement should have been removed before.

"Ontario's Ad was to be pulled IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run recently during the MLB finals, realizing that it was a FRAUD," he posted, while traveling to Southeast Asia.

the Premier had previously pledged to air the Ronald Reagan advert in all Republican-led region in the US.

Both Trump and Mark Carney will be participating in the Southeast Asian summit in Southeast Asia, but Trump informed reporters traveling with him on the presidential plane that he does not have any "plan" of speaking with his Canadian counterpart during the trip.

In his post, Donald Trump also alleged Canada of trying to influence an forthcoming US Supreme Court legal case which could end his whole import duty program.

The case, to be considered by the American judiciary next month, will decide whether the import taxes are legal.

On Thursday, Trump additionally lashed out, claiming that the commercial was created to "tamper" with "a crucial lawsuit"

MLB Finals Association

The advertisement is not the sole way that Ontario – location of the Blue Jays – is using the baseball championship as a stage to condemn the President's tariffs.

In a clip shared on Friday, the Premier and Gavin Newsom the Governor humorously placed wagers about which team would succeed in the finals.

The two leaders consistently joked about import taxes in the video, with the Premier pledging to deliver Newsom a container of maple syrup if the LA Dodgers succeed.

"The duty might cost me a few extra bucks at the crossing currently, but it'll be acceptable," he stated.

In answer, Governor Newsom requested Doug Ford to restart enabling American-produced alcohol to be sold in regional liquor stores, and pledged to provide "California's championship-worthy vino" if the Toronto team succeed.

They finished their conversation both declaring: "Here's to a fantastic World Series, and a tax-free friendship between Ontario and California."