Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has apologized to US President Donald Trump over an anti-tariff advertisement that quoted Ronald Reagan, leading Trump to suspend trade talks and threaten additional tariffs on Canadian goods. The ad, funded by Ontario’s government, has intensified diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Carney confirmed the apology during a press conference on Saturday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in South Korea, revealing that he had privately apologized to Trump at a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president earlier in the week. He stated that he told Trump the commercial was “not something I would have done” and acknowledged that the US president was offended by it. Trump, in turn, described their conversation as “very nice” but maintained that the ad was wrong, leading to his decision to halt trade discussions between the two countries.
The advertisement used clips from a 1987 national radio address by former President Reagan, in which he argued that tariffs cause trade wars and economic harm to American workers and consumers. It was commissioned by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, a Conservative politician often compared to Trump, and aired during the first two games of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ford claimed the TV spot garnered over one billion views and attracted international attention from countries like the UK and India, highlighting its broad reach and impact.
In response, Trump announced on Friday that he would impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports and suspend trade talks, citing the offensive nature of the commercial. This move adds to existing tariffs, including 35% on various Canadian products with exemptions under free trade agreements, and specific high tariffs on sectors like steel (50%) and automobiles (25%), which have particularly affected Ontario’s economy. Trump also accused Canada of attempting to interfere in an upcoming US Supreme Court case regarding the legality of his tariffs on multiple countries.
Carney disclosed that he had reviewed the ad with Ford before its release and advised against proceeding with it, but Ford chose to air it regardless. Ford later defended the advertisement, stating that it “achieved our goal” of raising awareness about tariff issues. The situation led to a heated exchange between US envoy Pete Hoekstra and Ontario trade representative David Paterson, described as an “expletive-laced tirade,” prompting Ford to demand an apology from Hoekstra for what he called “absolutely unacceptable” remarks.
Amid the fallout, Carney’s diplomatic efforts included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which he described as a “turning point” in Canada-China relations after years of tensions, including incidents of Canadian citizens being detained in China and allegations of election interference. Carney emphasized the need to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States, stating, “It can’t happen overnight, but we’re moving very fast,” as part of a broader strategy to diversify trade partnerships and enhance economic resilience.
The incident underscores the fragile state of US-Canada trade relations under the Trump administration, which has imposed sweeping tariffs on multiple nations. Moving forward, resolving this dispute is crucial for economic stability in North America, with potential implications for international trade dynamics and diplomatic relations. Both sides will need to navigate these challenges carefully to avoid further escalation and seek common ground on trade policies.