Web Desk — November 1, 2025
Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has apologized to US President Donald Trump for an anti-tariff advertisement aired by Ontario, which used a Ronald Reagan quote criticizing tariffs as triggers for trade wars and economic ruin.
Speaking to reporters at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, Carney confirmed: “I did apologize to the president.” He revealed he had reviewed the ad with Ontario Premier Doug Ford beforehand and advised against airing it, but Ford—a conservative often likened to Trump—proceeded anyway. The ad ran during the first two World Series games featuring Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers.
Trump, offended by the clip from Reagan’s 1987 radio address, suspended US-Canada trade talks last week and announced a 10% hike on Canadian imports, on top of existing 35% duties (mostly exempt under free trade pacts). This hits Ontario’s auto, steel, and aluminum sectors hard, with daily cross-border trade at $2.7 billion USD.
Carney met Trump at a South Korean presidential dinner on Wednesday, describing their chat as “very pleasant” but withholding details. Trump, aboard Air Force One Friday, accepted the apology, calling Carney “very nice” but insisting the ad was “false” and misrepresented Reagan, whom he claimed “loved tariffs.” Trade talks remain paused, though Carney hopes for a restart.
Ford pulled the ad Monday after backlash. British Columbia’s premier plans similar US-targeted spots. Carney’s outreach aims to salvage deals on steel, aluminum, and lumber amid Trump’s broader tariff agenda, facing US Supreme Court scrutiny next month.
