Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced an additional 10 per cent tariff on Canada, accusing the country of airing a “fraudulent advertisement” involving former President Ronald Reagan’s speech on tariffs.
In a Truth Social post late Saturday, Trump wrote: “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 per cent over and above what they are paying now.”
The President further accused Canada of attempting to influence the ongoing review by the US Supreme Court concerning his tariff policies. “The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their ‘rescue’ on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States,” Trump alleged.
Following Trump’s objection on Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would suspend the anti-tariff advertisement from Monday “so that trade talks can resume.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, however, reaffirmed his government’s willingness to continue “constructive discussions” with the United States despite the abrupt halt in negotiations announced by Trump.
“For months, we have stressed the importance of distinguishing between things we can control and things we can’t,” Carney said before departing for Malaysia to attend the ASEAN Summit. “We can’t control the trade policy of the United States. We recognise that policy has fundamentally changed from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.”
He added that Canadian negotiators had made “a lot of progress” with their US counterparts in sectors such as steel, aluminium, and energy. “Our officials have been working with their American colleagues on detailed, constructive negotiations. We stand ready to build on that progress when the Americans are ready to resume discussions,” he said.
Carney’s remarks came hours after Trump announced the termination of all trade talks with Canada, citing the controversial Ontario government ad. The video featured archival footage of Ronald Reagan criticising tariffs — which Trump dismissed as “fake.”
“TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE U.S.A.,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.”
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said on Friday that Trump’s decision stemmed from his growing frustration with Canada. “I think the President is very frustrated with Canada, and he has a right to be,” Hassett told Fox News, adding that Canadian negotiators had been “very difficult to work with” and that the tension “has built up over time.”
The latest dispute introduces new uncertainty into one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships. Trump has already imposed a 35 per cent tariff on some Canadian exports and has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st US state.
With IANS inputs