Tariffs and an Ad: What Happened Between the U.S. and Canada

President Donald Trump has ended trade talks with Canada and said he will raise tariffs on Canadian imports by 10%. An advertisement was broadcast during the World Series and it used audio from a 1987 radio address by Ronald Reagan. Trump said the ad misrepresented Reagan and called the campaign a hostile act while pausing talks.

Ontario’s government paid for the campaign and Premier Doug Ford said he would pause the ads on Monday so talks could resume. The ad cost roughly C$75 million and it aimed to reach American viewers with a message against tariffs. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation criticized the use of selective audio from his 1987 address.

Legal questions remain because the White House has not given details about which goods will face the extra charge, and experts say the move could slow talks. Although the ad drew criticism, it revived debate about tariffs and trade relations between neighbours. Canada has said it will work to diversify exports since much of its trade goes to the United States, and negotiators now wait to see when and how the tariffs will be implemented.