On the evening of October 25, 2025, at precisely 21:17:01 UTC, a new chapter unfolded in the evolving economic relationship between the United States and Canada. In a post shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to impose an additional ten percent tariff on Canadian imports, marking a significant escalation in bilateral trade tensions. This announcement came as a direct reaction to a controversial anti-tariff advertisement produced in the Canadian province of Ontario, which prominently featured archival footage of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan offering remarks that were critical of protectionist trade policies.
Trump described the advertisement as “fraudulent,” asserting that it deliberately distorted historical facts and misrepresented the principles underpinning U.S. trade decisions. The ad, initially broadcast during a Major League Baseball World Series game and viewed by millions, was intended to highlight Reagan’s advocacy for free and fair trade. However, Trump’s team interpreted the use of Reagan’s words as a pointed and hostile criticism of his own economic agenda, specifically the tariffs he had previously introduced on Canadian goods. Declaring that such mischaracterizations constituted a severe offense against the United States, Trump stated on Truth Social that the only appropriate response was to raise tariffs on Canada by an additional ten percent beyond existing rates. He justified the move as both a retaliatory measure and a matter of principle, intended to defend the integrity of American trade policy against what he called a “hostile act.”
The controversy quickly drew the attention of Ontario’s political leadership. Premier Doug Ford had recently disseminated the same advertisement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, amplifying its visibility among Canadian audiences. The ad drew upon excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 “Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade,” a speech historically celebrated for its endorsement of open markets and reciprocal economic exchange. Yet, following Trump’s announcement that he would unilaterally suspend ongoing trade negotiations with Canada in protest, Premier Ford indicated that the advertisement would be temporarily removed from circulation once the weekend concluded. This decision signaled an attempt to alleviate diplomatic friction and prevent further deterioration of cross-border relations at a time when economic cooperation remains crucial for both nations.
At present, representatives for the White House have declined to provide any official response to inquiries from Business Insider regarding the policy shift or the incident that precipitated it. The absence of a public statement leaves uncertainty surrounding the potential economic ramifications and whether further retaliatory measures could follow. As events continue to evolve, updates are expected as new information becomes available, making this an ongoing and developing story that could shape U.S.-Canada trade dynamics for months to come.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-canada-tariffs-ronald-reagan-ad-ontario-2025-10
