US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is raising tariffs on Canada by an additional 10% “above what they’re paying now,” in response to an advertisement from Ontario province that aired during the World Series broadcast a day earlier.
Trump had already halted trade talks with Ottawa on Thursday, claiming the ad was misleading.
In a Truth Social post made on Saturday, Trump referred to the advertisement, which includes a clip of former US President Ronald Reagan—an icon for Republicans—warning that tariffs can lead to trade wars and economic turmoil. The commercial had been running for several days before Trump first reacted on Thursday night.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday that, following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario would suspend the US ad campaign on Monday to allow trade discussions to resume.
The ad was shown on Friday during Game 1 of Major League Baseball’s World Series, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Their advertisement was supposed to be taken down IMMEDIATELY, yet they allowed it to air again last night during the World Series, despite knowing it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote.
He continued, “Due to their serious misrepresentation of facts and hostile behavior, I am increasing the tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.”
Trump posted the message aboard Air Force One while en route to Malaysia — the first leg of his East Asia tour, which will primarily focus on trade matters.
Officials from the US Commerce Department, the White House, and the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office have not yet responded to requests for comment.
