Trump imposes additional tariffs on Canada over ‘fraudulent’ advertisement
The US president had previously halted trade negotiations with Ottawa, citing the commercial as misleading.
US President Donald Trump has levied an extra 10% tariff on Canadian products, attributing the move to Canada broadcasting an anti-tariff advertisement he labeled as “fraudulent.”
Trump has consistently advocated for tariffs as a means to counteract what he perceives as unfair trade practices from nations such as China, Canada, and Mexico, asserting these practices detrimentally affect American industries. Previously this year, he instituted 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, subsequently increasing them to 35% on a wider array of products, including timber and automobiles, as part of his broader economic strategy.
This latest announcement followed by two days Trump’s declaration that he had ended trade discussions with Canada due to an advertisement broadcast in Ontario. This commercial utilized quotes from former US President Ronald Reagan to critique Trump’s tariffs. In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that Canada had been caught “red-handed” running a “fraudulent advertisement,” contending that “selective audio and video” had been employed to distort Reagan’s message.
“The singular objective of this FRAUD,” he penned, “was Canada’s expectation that the United States Supreme Court would intervene on their behalf regarding tariffs they have historically used to harm the United States,” referencing the court’s impending examination of his tariff powers. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear this matter in November, subsequent to lower court rulings that deemed his extensive tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and other nations unconstitutional.
Trump further chastised Canada for failing to promptly withdraw the commercial, alleging that “Ronald Reagan LOVED tariffs.” He declared, “Due to their significant distortion of facts and hostile action, I am raising the Tariff on Canada by 10% beyond what they currently pay.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated on Friday that, following discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, the province intends to suspend its anti-tariff advertising campaign in the US “so that trade talks can resume.”
Carney has refrained from commenting on this recent development. Earlier in the week, following the suspension of trade negotiations, he affirmed that Ottawa “stands ready” to restart discussions “for the benefit of workers in both our countries.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, however, criticized the prime minister for failing to meet his self-imposed summer deadline for securing an agreement.