Tensions rise between US and Canada as Trump imposes 10% tariff over ad dispute
Washington (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada. He has accused Canada of running a "misleading advertisement" quoting a speech by former US President Ronald Reagan. Trump wrote on his social media platform 'Truth Social', "They should have removed this advertisement immediately, but they aired it during the World Series, even though they knew it was false. Due to the misrepresentation of facts and hostile attitude, I am increasing the tariff already imposed on Canada by another 10 percent."
Trump also alleged that Canada was trying to influence the decision of the US Supreme Court, which is currently hearing legal cases related to tariffs imposed by Trump. "This entire lie was spread to give Canada hope that the US Supreme Court would protect them in this tariff case, even though they have long used these tariffs to harm the United States," Trump wrote.
Following Trump's outburst on Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would stop airing anti-tariff ads starting Monday so "trade talks can resume." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted Friday that his government was ready to continue "constructive dialogue" with the United States, despite the US president's abrupt announcement of an end to trade talks between the two countries.
"We've been reiterating for months that we must understand what is within our control and what is not. We cannot control US trade policy. We know that this policy has changed significantly since the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s," Carney said.
Carney said Canadian negotiators are making "significant progress" in talks with their US counterparts, particularly in key sectors such as steel, aluminum and energy. "We've been having constructive discussions with our US counterparts," he said. "We're ready to build on that progress whenever the US is ready to negotiate again."
Trump announced late Thursday that he was ending all trade talks with Canada. The announcement came after a video ad aired that featured an old speech by former President Ronald Reagan. The ad featured old footage of former US President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs, which Trump called "fake."
"Tariffs are vital to America's national security and economy. Given Canada's misconduct, all trade negotiations with Canada are immediately terminated," he wrote. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, said, "The President is deeply disappointed with Canada, and rightfully so. Negotiations with Canada have been extremely difficult."
This new dispute is adding new uncertainty to one of the world's largest bilateral trade relationships between the US and Canada. Trump has already imposed 35 percent tariffs on some Canadian exports and has repeatedly said that "Canada should become the 51st state of the US."