标签： North America

US President Donald Trump announced a 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian imports following Ontario’s airing of an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan. Trump, en route to Malaysia on Saturday, took to social media to denounce the ad as a ‘fraud’ and criticized Canadian officials for not removing it before the World Series baseball championship. ‘Due to their serious misrepresentation of facts and hostile act, I am raising tariffs on Canada by 10%,’ Trump declared. This move comes after Trump withdrew from trade talks with Canada on Thursday, prompting Ontario Premier Doug Ford to pause the ad campaign to facilitate resumed negotiations. Despite this, the ad continued to air during the World Series, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Canada remains the only G7 country without a trade deal with the US since Trump initiated steep tariffs on major trading partners. The US already imposes a 35% levy on most Canadian goods, with additional sector-specific tariffs, including 50% on metals and 25% on automobiles. Ontario, a hub for Canada’s automobile manufacturing, heavily relies on US exports, with three-quarters of its exports destined for the US. The controversial ad, sponsored by the Ontario government, quotes Reagan’s 1987 radio address on foreign trade, asserting that tariffs ‘hurt every American.’ The Ronald Reagan Foundation criticized the ad for misrepresenting Reagan’s legacy and using unauthorized excerpts. Trump accused Canada of attempting to influence an upcoming US Supreme Court case that could dismantle his tariff regime. The case, set for next month, will determine the constitutionality of the tariffs. Meanwhile, Ontario leveraged the World Series to critique Trump’s tariffs, with Ford and California Governor Gavin Newsom humorously betting on the series outcome, pledging tariff-free exchanges of maple syrup and wine. Both leaders concluded their exchange with a toast to a ‘tariff-free friendship between Ontario and California.’

In a recent interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Kamala Harris, the former Vice President of the United States, hinted strongly at a potential presidential campaign in 2028. This marks her most definitive indication yet of her political ambitions following her defeat to Donald Trump in the previous election. Harris, who has remained a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, expressed her determination to continue her political journey, stating, ‘I’m not done.’ Her comments have sparked widespread speculation about her future role in American politics and the potential strategies she might employ in a future bid for the presidency. Political analysts are now closely monitoring her movements and public statements for further clues about her intentions.

Ghazala Hashmi, an India-born Democratic State Senator, is making waves in Virginia’s political landscape as she campaigns for the position of lieutenant governor. If successful, Hashmi would become the first Asian-American and Muslim to hold a statewide office in Virginia. Running alongside Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger and attorney general candidate Jay Jones, Hashmi’s candidacy represents a significant milestone in the state’s diverse political history.

An undisclosed donor has contributed $130 million to the Pentagon to assist in paying U.S. troops during the ongoing government shutdown, sparking ethical debates. President Donald Trump confirmed the donation, emphasizing that it would help cover the salaries of the nation’s 1.32 million service members, but he declined to reveal the donor’s identity. Trump described the benefactor as a ‘great gentleman,’ ‘patriot,’ and ‘big supporter,’ who prefers anonymity. The government shutdown, now in its 25th day, is on track to become one of the longest in U.S. history. Last week, the Trump administration managed to pay troops by reallocating $8 billion from military research, but the funding for the next payday on October 31 remains uncertain. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the donation was made with the condition that it be used exclusively for service members’ salaries and benefits, and it was accepted under the department’s ‘general gift acceptance authority.’ Critics, including Delaware Senator Chris Coons, have raised concerns about the potential risks of accepting anonymous funds, questioning whether foreign powers could influence the military. Defense department rules require donations over $10,000 to undergo ethical review, with additional scrutiny for non-U.S. citizens. While the Pentagon occasionally accepts donations for specific projects like schools or hospitals, this large, anonymous contribution has drawn significant attention and skepticism.

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has hinted at a potential return to the political arena, suggesting she may run for the presidency in 2028. In her first UK interview with the BBC’s *Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg*, Harris expressed confidence in her political future, stating, ‘I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.’ Despite her loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election, Harris dismissed unfavorable polls and reaffirmed her commitment to public service. She also criticized Trump, labeling him a ‘tyrant’ and asserting that her warnings about his authoritarian tendencies during the campaign had been vindicated. Harris pointed to Trump’s alleged weaponization of federal agencies, including the suspension of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel, as evidence of his overreach. While reflecting on her 2024 campaign, Harris acknowledged the challenges of entering the race late after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal but stopped short of assigning blame. She emphasized the narrow margin in the popular vote, though she was decisively defeated in the electoral college. As the Democratic Party grapples with its future, Harris’s potential candidacy raises questions about the party’s strategy against right-wing populism. Her recent book, *107 Days*, chronicles her tumultuous campaign and offers insights into her political journey. Harris’s candid remarks signal her readiness for another presidential bid, though she remains noncommittal about her final decision.