Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney apologised to US President Donald Trump over an anti-tariff ad. The ad featured former US President Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs cause trade wars. Carney said he had opposed the ad and told Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to run it. Despite his opposition, the ad aired, angering Trump and prompting him to hike tariffs by 10 percent. The Canadian PM confirmed trade talks with the US would resume once Washington is ready.
Carney said he had reviewed the ad with Ford before it aired. He added that the president was offended by the campaign. Trump had also terminated all trade talks following the ad. Carney expressed hope that discussions could restart soon and emphasised the importance of cooperation between both nations. He called the situation a setback but stressed diplomacy remains possible.
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Meanwhile, Carney discussed Canada’s relations with China during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. He called his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping a “turning point” in bilateral relations. Both countries held their first formal talks since 2017. Carney said the meetings were constructive and highlighted opportunities to address ongoing trade and political challenges.
He confirmed that China invited him to visit in the new year. Carney said he directed Canadian ministers to work together to solve current trade issues. He emphasised that collaboration could unlock new areas for economic growth. He also highlighted the need to address foreign interference and other sensitive topics with Beijing.
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Carney concluded by stating that Canada remains committed to strong global partnerships. He stressed the importance of resolving disputes with both the US and China. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that cooperation and dialogue would benefit Canada’s economy. He reiterated that diplomacy and careful planning are key to sustaining trade relations in a complex international environment.