Trump tariffs: How a Canadian ad featuring a Reagan speech angered Trump
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Welcome to logout: President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff campaign is supposed to rely on emergency authority — authority he is now using to raise tariffs on one of the United States’ largest trading partners in a fit of anger.
What happened? Over the weekend, Trump increased U.S. tariffs on Canada by 10 percent in response to an Ontario government ad, which featured excerpts from a speech by President Ronald Reagan criticizing the tariffs.
In the ad, Reagan is heard warning that “When someone says, ‘Let’s put tariffs on foreign imports,’ it seems like they’re making a patriotic gesture by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short time, it works, but only for a short time.”
The ad was suspended on Monday, but only after it was widely broadcast in the United States, including during two World Series games (which this year feature a Canadian team, the Toronto Blue Jays).
What is the context? Trump has acted aggressively toward Canada since returning to power, repeatedly threatening to annex the country as the 51st state and imposing 35% tariffs on many exports (and even higher tariff rates on some products). Last week, he also suspended ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and Canada because of the publicity.
What is the big picture? Trump’s legal theory regarding his tariff power is based on a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. As its name suggests, it aims to deal with “unusual and extraordinary threats”.[s]» – not the president’s anger at critical ads from foreign governments.
Vox’s Ian Millhiser has previously argued that the tariffs are clearly illegal; However, whether they can remain in force remains an open question, which the Supreme Court must rule on during its next term.
And with that, it’s time to disconnect…
Also over the weekend, NPR featured spectacular drone photography from the Siena Awards. Aerial photos, from Turkey to the Ganges in India and beyond, are a fun change of perspective and a great opportunity to appreciate the diverse beauty of cities, crowds and landscapes. Thank you for reading, have a good evening and see you tomorrow!
