(DDM) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports following a controversial political advertisement that featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Trump made the declaration during a rally in Ohio, where he accused Canada of “manipulating history” and using Reagan’s legacy to “undermine American economic strength.”
The advertisement, reportedly sponsored by a coalition of Canadian trade lobbyists, resurfaced Reagan’s 1980s speech where he warned against protectionism and trade barriers.
The ad went viral across North American media platforms, portraying Reagan’s free-market philosophy as a rebuke to Trump’s tariff policies.
Trump, however, dismissed the campaign as “foreign propaganda,” saying it misrepresented Reagan’s message and disrespected the United States.
“Canada is playing games with American history,” Trump said. “They’re using Reagan’s image to attack me and to sell their weak trade policies. That’s not going to happen under my watch.”
The new tariff, which will target Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber imports, marks the latest escalation in U.S.-Canada trade tensions that have lingered since Trump’s first term in office.
According to DDM, Trump’s announcement sparked immediate backlash from Canadian officials, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling the move “an unnecessary provocation that undermines North American cooperation.”
Trudeau emphasized that the advertisement was independently produced and not endorsed by the Canadian government.
“Canada will defend its interests as we always have,” Trudeau stated. “Trade relations should be based on respect, not rhetoric.”
Economic experts told DDM that the new tariff could reignite trade wars between the two countries, potentially increasing costs for American manufacturers who depend on Canadian raw materials.
They also warned that the decision could violate existing trade agreements under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), leading to retaliatory measures from Ottawa.
Political analysts say Trump’s move is both a symbolic and strategic attempt to reassert his “America First” agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, appealing to his base of industrial workers affected by globalization.
“This isn’t just about tariffs,” said trade analyst Linda McKay. “It’s about Trump reclaiming the narrative that America is being taken advantage of, and positioning himself as the defender of national pride.”
The White House has yet to clarify when the tariffs will take effect, but sources within Trump’s campaign indicated that implementation could begin “within weeks.”
As tensions rise, Canadian exporters are bracing for possible supply chain disruptions and retaliatory duties, while economists warn that both countries could face price hikes in key sectors if the dispute escalates further.
Trump ended his statement by doubling down on his stance:“We love Reagan,” he said. “But we won’t let Canada twist his words to weaken the United States. America will always come first.”