US President Donald Trump announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports following a negative television commercial that included a speech by former US President Ronald Reagan.
Ontario officials said the ad, which criticizes Trump’s tariff policy, will be pulled from the airwaves next week.
However, Trump stated in a social media post that since the ad aired during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, he decided to increase tariffs on Canadian products.
“Due to their gross misrepresentation of facts and hostile act, I am raising the tariff on Canada by 10% above what they are paying now,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform.
Earlier in the week, Trump had announced that trade talks with Canada would be suspended over the commercial, which debuted earlier this month.
READ ALSO: FG promises enabling environment for private energy investors
According to ABC News, the ad includes audio excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 speech, given when he imposed tariffs on certain Japanese products. In the speech, Reagan warned of the long-term economic risks of high tariffs and the possibility of a trade war.
Trump also claimed, without providing evidence, that the announcement “was Canada’s hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will come to their ‘rescue’ over the tariffs they have used for years to hurt the United States.”
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case this term over Trump’s extensive tariff policy.
In response to the controversy, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute said on social media Thursday night that the Canadian ad campaign used “selective audio and video” of Reagan and “misrepresents” what he said in the speech.
The foundation added that it was reviewing possible legal action.
READ ALSO TOP STORIES OF Newslodge