Canada’s government found itself in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs this weekend after an Ontario advertisement featuring former U.S. President Ronald Reagan aired during Game 1 of the World Series — prompting Trump to announce a surprise 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian goods.
The 30-second ad, paid for by Ontario’s provincial government under Premier Doug Ford, used clips from Reagan’s 1987 radio address criticizing tariffs and trade barriers. The message — intended to highlight the risks of protectionism — did not sit well with Trump, who called the spot a “hostile act” and “fraudulent.”
Trump: ‘Canada Caught Red-Handed’
In a post on Truth Social Saturday morning, Trump accused Canada of “putting up a fraudulent advertisement” that distorted Reagan’s views.
“Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now,” Trump wrote.
The president further claimed that Reagan “LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy,” accusing Canada of deliberately running the ad “during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD.”
Reagan Foundation: Ad ‘Misrepresents’ Reagan’s Message
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute also criticized the Ontario ad, saying it used “selective audio and video” to portray Reagan as anti-tariff.
While none of Reagan’s words were altered, the foundation said the ad’s editing lacked context. In reality, Reagan’s record on trade was mixed — he publicly championed free markets while occasionally imposing targeted tariffs, such as those on Japanese semiconductors in 1987.
Legal experts were quick to note that political advertising often relies on selective editing.
“That’s pretty much every attack ad that you’ve ever heard of,” said Rebecca Tushnet, a Harvard Law professor, in an interview with Straight Arrow News. “Even if you think they were being unfair, there’s no requirement to be fair in political discourse.”
Ford: ‘We’re Stronger Together’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attempted to calm the storm Thursday, saying the ad was meant to “start a conversation” about the future of North American trade.
“The people elected our government to protect Ontario — our workers, businesses, families, and communities,” Ford wrote on X. “Canada and the U.S. are neighbours, friends, and allies. We’re so much stronger when we work together.”
Ford later confirmed that the ad would be paused from airing in the U.S. beginning Monday.
Reagan’s Record on Tariffs: A Mixed Legacy
Despite Trump’s assertion that Reagan “loved tariffs,” historians note that Reagan often spoke against protectionism.
In his 1987 radio address — the same one quoted in the Ontario ad — Reagan warned:
“Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer.”
Later, in his 1988 State of the Union address, he added:
“We should always remember protectionism is destructionism. America’s jobs, America’s growth, America’s future depend on trade — trade that is free, open, and fair.”
Still, Reagan’s policies occasionally contradicted his rhetoric. His administration imposed several tariffs on Japanese electronics and European agricultural goods when U.S. industries came under pressure.
What Happens Next
Trump’s new tariff order adds 10% to the existing duties on Canadian imports — though details on implementation remain unclear. Economists warn that a renewed trade spat could hit key industries, including autos, agriculture, and steel, which are heavily intertwined across the U.S.-Canada border.
Ford’s government has not yet said whether it plans to appeal or formally protest Trump’s move, but Canadian officials privately expressed frustration that a 30-second TV ad could trigger a new round of economic tension.
