Officials in Ontario acknowledged the advertisement’s controversial timing and said it would be taken off the air next week. They did not provide a specific date for its final broadcast. A spokesperson indicated the province intended to raise awareness about potential economic impacts of U.S. tariffs but did not foresee the additional penalty announced by Washington.
The new levy comes on top of duties already imposed on Canadian aluminum, steel, and several agricultural products. U.S. importers will be required to pay the added 10% fee once U.S. Customs and Border Protection issues implementing guidelines. The administration has not yet detailed whether any individual product lines will be exempt.
Trump’s latest trade action extends a pattern of tariff measures that has defined much of his tenure. According to data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Canada remains one of the country’s largest trading partners, exchanging hundreds of billions of dollars in goods annually. The additional costs introduced Saturday will apply to an extensive range of Canadian exports unless narrower parameters are later announced.
The White House released no public schedule changes in response to the tariff declaration. On Oct. 22, the president met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, where photographers captured images released by the Associated Press. Trade issues were not formally addressed during that meeting, according to pool reports.
Game 1 of the World Series, broadcast nationwide from Arlington, Texas, drew a sizable television audience, offering broad exposure for the Ontario-backed commercial. The ad juxtaposed archival footage of Reagan praising free markets with present-day references to U.S. tariffs, concluding with a call for policy reversal. The Trump campaign and White House officials maintained the ad mischaracterized administration goals and damaged bilateral relations.
Canadian federal authorities have not issued an official statement on the tariff hike. Earlier in the week, government representatives in Ottawa said they hoped to resume trade discussions “when conditions permit” but did not specify what steps might be necessary to revive talks. With negotiations now paused and a new tariff tier in place, observers in both countries are waiting for clarification on potential next moves.
Imagem: Internet
Industry groups on both sides of the border are assessing the immediate financial implications. Importers responsible for clearing Canadian goods through U.S. ports are preparing for elevated costs once the surcharge becomes effective. Meanwhile, suppliers north of the border are weighing contingency plans, including rerouting shipments or adjusting prices to offset the added expense.
The administration did not provide a timeline for formal publication of the tariff order in the Federal Register. In previous instances, similar trade measures have taken effect within days of presidential announcements, following confirmation from the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury.
Friday’s escalation follows a series of bilateral tensions that surfaced throughout October. Trump’s initial threat to suspend trade negotiations came Monday, and Ontario’s commitment to withdraw the ad surfaced Thursday. Despite those developments, the commercial’s exposure during baseball’s championship opener accelerated the dispute.
Analysts note that the World Series typically attracts millions of viewers in both countries, making it one of the most prominent advertising platforms of the year. Ontario officials did not confirm what advertising slots had been purchased for subsequent games, though they reiterated plans to discontinue the campaign entirely in the coming days.
No additional meetings between U.S. and Canadian trade representatives are scheduled. For now, importers, exporters, and policymakers await further guidance on how the new tariff will be implemented and whether any dialogue might resume to address the expanding list of cross-border trade issues.
Crédito da imagem: Alex Brandon/AP
