President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that he is escalating economic measures against Canada in response to what he described as a “hostile act” involving a misleading advertisement about former President Ronald Reagan.
“Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagan’s Speech on Tariffs,” Trump posted on Truth Social, accusing the Canadian government of misrepresenting Reagan’s position.
Trump cited a statement from the Reagan Foundation, which confirmed that Canada “created an ad campaign using selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan. The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address,” highlighting the foundation’s concern over the manipulation of historical material for political purposes.
The president’s announcement signals an intensification of tensions between the United States and Canada over trade policy and historical interpretation, with the administration framing the misleading ad as a direct affront to American interests and legacy.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just SURGED tariffs on Canada by +10% because of their manipulative ad that used RONALD REAGAN to oppose Trump’s tariffs
That’s the DEFINITION of FAFO!
“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the… pic.twitter.com/KZFjE75m2Y
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 25, 2025
Trump noted that the Reagan Foundation reported the Canadian government “did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute is reviewing its legal options in this matter.”
“The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their ‘rescue’ on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States,” he wrote.
“Now the United States is able to defend itself against high and overbearing Canadian Tariffs (and those from the rest of the World as well!). Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didn’t!” Trump continued.
He added that “Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD.”
Listen to President Reagan’s unedited remarks here: https://t.co/1gQUcbR4eZ pic.twitter.com/iqmjSuypp0
— Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute (@RonaldReagan) October 24, 2025
“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” President Trump wrote.
On Friday, he described the ad as “crooked” and “dishonest,” according to The Hill, and on Thursday cited it as the reason for canceling trade talks with Canada.
“Canada lied,” Trump said of the advertisement produced by the province of Ontario. “They made up a fake statement by President Reagan. Reagan was a big supporter of tariffs when needed. We need tariffs for national security, and they totally turned it around because they’re getting hurt by tariffs, and we’re gaining by tariffs.”
Trump labeled the ad a “fraud” and “dirty playing” on Friday, adding, “I can play dirtier than they can.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has stated that the advertisement will continue to run through Monday.