Donald Trump Saturday announced higher tariff rates on Canada, specifically because of an anti-tariff ad using Ronald Reagan's own words, and spurred outrage from observers.
The president has for days raged about the ad, which plays the words of Reagan talking about the dangers of imposing too many barriers to trade on other countries. Then, Trump imposed real consequences over the weekend.
"Canada was caught, red handed, putting up a fraudulent advertisement on Ronald Reagan’s Speech on Tariffs," Trump claimed. "The Reagan Foundation said that they, 'created an ad campaign using selective audio and video of President Ronald Reagan. The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address,' and '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 then announced the 10% boost to tariffs for Canada.
That didn't sit well with onlookers, including White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg, who said, "Let’s be clear about what this is. Canada isn’t paying a godd---- thing."
"He’s increasing taxes on Americans by executive fiat because he didn’t like an advertisement that quoted Reagan’s (accurate) views on tariffs," he then added. "You (and I) are paying these taxes — not Canada."
MeidasTouch chimed in with, "Trump says he’s increasing tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by 10% because Ontario’s commercial that accurately used Ronald Reagan’s words about tariffs made him sad."
Economist Justin Wolfers said, "It just got 10% dumber."
"Not a joke: Trump just imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Canada because he still doesn't understand that Reagan was a vehement free trader," he then added.
Tax analyst Erica York said, "The President should not have the power to arbitrarily impose tariffs."
"Is the new 10% tariff on imports from Canada related to the fentanyl emergency or the reciprocal trade emergency or are hurt feelings also now a national emergency?" she further added.