FUMING Donald Trump said he will slap a 10 per cent tariff hike on Canada over a petty anti-tariff ad campaign.
Angered by the advert, which used a quote from former president Ronald Reagan to criticise his tariffs, Trump threatened to end trade talks with Ottawa.
The ad directly quoted Reagan – a republican icon – saying tariffs “hurt every American”.
Trump labelled Reagan’s words as “fake” and slammed Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would pull the ad after the weekend, and it ran Friday night during the first game of the World Series.
As Trump flew aboard Air Force One to Malaysia ahead of the ASEAN summit, he wrote on Truth Social: “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.
“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.”
The Trump administration previously imposed a 35 per cent levy on many Canadian imports, as well as individual tariffs targeting industries like car and steel manufacturing.
Canada’s economy has been hit hard, and its Prime Minister Mark Carney has been trying to work with Trump to lower them.
Trump and Carney will both attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia.
But Trump told reporters travelling with him on Air Force One that he had no intention of meeting Carney there.
More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the US and nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border daily.
After the ad was released, Trump hit out at Canada, saying the campaign was “fake” and that he would end all trade negotiations with the neighbouring country.
But Trump’s strong remarks, the ad actually does feature a real Reagan address.
The 60-second ad, played on mainstream TV channels in the US, takes part of his speech during a 1987 radio address as he explained why he was placing tariffs on Japanese electronics.
Premier Ford announced the launch of the campaign alongside the fiery statement: “Let’s take Ronald Reagan’s words and let’s blast it to the American people.
“We’re going to repeat that message to every Republican district there is right across the entire country.”
Reagan details how tariffs can appear to be a positive for the average American on the surface but in reality they are often punishing for all.
His words are played over the top of images of American families, farmers and businesspeople as he explains how their lives may be worse off due to the US tariffs in place.
“When someone says, ‘let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports’, it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs,” Reagan says in the ad.
“And sometimes for a short while it works, but only for a short time. But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American, worker and consumer.”
Reagan goes on to explain that when one country is hit by tariffs the other often responds.
This causes the “triggering of fierce trade wars”, he says.
“Markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down and millions of people lose their jobs.”
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute first highlighted an issue with the advert’s use of Reagan’s speech.
They declared that it takes the late president’s words out of context.
They said: “The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address, and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks.”
They also noted that they are “reviewing its legal options in this matter”.
Trump vs Canada explained
THE feud between Canada and the US is largely rooted in trade policies ever since Donald Trump returned to office in January.
Issues first arose in early 2025 when the US imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports.
The biggest involved a 25 per cent tariff on most goods and a 10 per cent tariff on energy products.
Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs on American products, leading to a trade war and a major disruption of both nation’s essential supply chains.
The worst hit sectors include steel, aluminium, cars, agriculture, and technology.
There was some heated back-and-forth between Canada and the US before the US’ sanctions were postponed for a short time.
Another issue is around the shared border and immigration.
Canada is now bolstering border security in anticipation of possible changes to US immigration and asylum policies.
Trump has also been insistent on making Canada the “51st state”.
He has long claimed that they would be better off under American rule despite fierce opposition from Canada’s top officials.
Trump said: “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about Tariffs.
“They only did this to interfere with the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, and other courts.
“TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A. Based on their egregious behaviour.
“ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
Sponsored by the government of Canada’s province of Ontario and led by Premier Ford, the adverts are part of a mega $53.5million campaign.
Ford was adamant that the advert is “very factual” and isn’t an attempt to be nasty.
He has been one of Trump’s biggest critics in recent months, ever since the US launched sweeping global tariffs.
It comes just months after Trump repeatedly said he would like to bring Canada into the US as the “51st state” – as well as buy Greenland.
