The BRICS TimesCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that he apologized to US President Donald Trump following a controversial anti-tariff commercial. He also stated that trade negotiations with the US would restart once the latter is “ready.”
Canadian PM Addresses Reagan Ad Controversy
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke on Saturday (local time). He said he offered an apology to US President Donald Trump. This apology was for an anti-tariff advertisement. The ad featured former US President Ronald Reagan. “I did apologise to the president. The President was offended,” Carney told AFP news agency. This happened in South Korea’s Gyeongju. He was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit there.
Trade Talks and Provincial Ad Commission
Carney also mentioned that trade talks would begin again. The US government must be “ready” for these discussions. The Canadian PM also revealed he asked Ontario’s Conservative premier, Doug Ford, to stop the ad. Ford’s government had commissioned the ad. “It’s not something I would have done,” the Canadian PM told Bloomberg.
Taking Responsibility for US Relations
Carney accepted responsibility for the diplomatic issue. “I’m the one who is responsible in my role as prime minister for the relationship with the president of the United States…So things happen. We take the good with the bad, and I apologized,” he explained.
Trump’s Reaction and Halt to Negotiations
The advertisement had greatly angered Trump. It used a clip of Republican Ronald Reagan. The clip was from a 1987 speech defending free trade. Trump reacted by increasing tariffs on Canadian imports. He also halted trade talks with Canada. Trump had previously confirmed getting an apology from Carney. However, the US President did not suggest a keenness to restart trade discussions. When asked about resuming talks, Trump replied, “No, but I have a very good relationship. I like him a lot, but you know, what they did was wrong. He was very nice. He apologized for what they did with the commercial.”
The Content of the Controversial Ad
The anti-tariff advertisement was shared by Doug Ford in October. It used the voice of former Republican US President Ronald Reagan. Reagan spoke negatively about imposing tariffs. In the ad, Reagan is heard saying, “High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens: markets shrink and collapse; businesses and industries shut down; and millions of people lose their jobs.” He concluded by stating, “Throughout the world, there’s a growing realisation that the way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition. America’s jobs and growth are at stake.”
Trump Labels Ad “Fake” and Terminates Talks
This campaign irritated Trump greatly. He stopped trade talks with Canada because of it. He also labeled the advertisement “fake.” “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added a strong warning: “Based on their egregious behaviour, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED,”. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation criticized the ad. They stated it used “selective audio and video.” The foundation also claimed, “The ad misrepresents the Presidential Radio Address (by Reagan in 1987), and the Government of Ontario did not seek nor receive permission to use and edit the remarks,”.
