US President Donald Trump has announced a 10% tariff increase on Canadian goods over a TV ad that used audio from former President Ronald Reagan’s 1987 address against tariffs. The ad was paid for by Ontario and featured a re-edited version of Reagan’s words, which Trump claims is “fraudulent”. The move comes as the US and Canada are locked in talks to lower some US tariffs on key Canadian goods.
Trump doubled down on his feud with Canada, saying he would punish the country with the new tariff hike. However, some experts argue that this is an escalation of a long-standing dispute between the two countries. Canadian officials have expressed frustration with Trump’s rhetoric and said they are ready to continue discussions over tariffs on steel, aluminum, and energy.
The US and Canada had been in talks to lower some US tariffs on key Canadian goods, but the spat over the Reagan ad has led to a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries. The move is likely to affect Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, and auto parts imports into the US.
While Trump’s administration has applied harsh tariffs on these goods, Canada has rolled back most of its retaliatory measures against the US as part of ongoing talks. However, some groups are critical of the new tariff hike, saying it could hurt American taxpayers billions of dollars due to a benign World Series ad that Trump doesn’t like.
The situation highlights the challenges in trade negotiations between the US and Canada, with both sides struggling to find common ground on key issues such as tariffs and energy. As tensions continue to rise, diplomats will need to navigate these complex issues to prevent further escalation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/world/canada/trump-tariffs-reagan-ad.html