U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods, citing a controversial television advertisement aired by Ontario that featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing U.S. trade policies. The move has intensified cross-border tensions and drawn sharp criticism from Canadian labor and industry leaders.
The Ad That Sparked the Feud
Trump accused Ontario of airing a "fraudulent" ad during Friday's World Series broadcast, claiming it misrepresented U.S. trade practices. The ad, which Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to pause after the weekend, reportedly prompted Trump to threaten ending trade negotiations. "Their advertisement was to be taken down IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run… knowing it was a FRAUD," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Canadian Backlash and Trade Tensions
Canadian trade union Unifor condemned the tariff threat, with National President Lana Payne calling it an attempt to "extort more from us" and weaken Canada's economy. Analysts suggest the dispute reflects deeper trade frictions, including Canada's recent retaliatory measures against U.S. automakers reducing production in the country.
The World Series, MLB's championship event, became an unlikely battleground for trade diplomacy as both sides brace for potential economic fallout.
