US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he was increasing tariffs on Canada by an additional 10 per cent “above what they’re paying now”, over what he said was a misleading advertisement.
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“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,” Trump posted on SOCIAL MEDIA, describing the ad as a “misrepresentation of facts”.
The ad, commissioned by Doug Ford, Ontario’s outspoken Conservative premier, features a video of late US President Ronald Reagan, a Republican icon, saying that tariffs cause trade wars and economic disaster.
The US Commerce Department, the White House and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Washington had halted trade talks with Canada on Thursday over Ontario’s decision to air the ad. Ford said the next day that after discussions with Carney, Ontario would pause the US advertising campaign on Monday so that trade talks could resume.
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But the disputed commercial would continue to air over the weekend as the Toronto Blue Jays play in the first two games of the World Series, he added. The first game was played on Friday night. The Blue Jays beat the LA Dodgers 11-4.