Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Saturday that he apologised to United States President Donald Trump over an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former US leader Ronald Reagan. Carney also revealed that he had urged Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to air the controversial ad.
Trump responded by announcing an additional 10 per cent tariff hike on Canadian goods and suspending all ongoing trade negotiations, labelling the ad campaign as “fake.”
“I did apologise to the president. The president was offended,” Carney told reporters in Gyeongju, South Korea, adding that trade discussions would resume when the US was “ready.”
Read More: Trump warns of 10% tariffs on BRICS allies as global tensions rise
Carney explained that he had reviewed the advertisement with Ford prior to its release but had objected to its use. “I told Ford I did not want to go forward with the ad,” he said. The ad, commissioned by Ford, featured a clip of former US president Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs lead to trade wars and economic disaster.
During the same press briefing, Carney described his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “turning point” in Canada–China relations, noting that both sides had agreed to “unlock a path forward” to address ongoing issues and enhance cooperation.