Aboard Air Force One, President Trump revealed a surprising turn in the escalating trade dispute with Canada. He stated that Prime Minister Carney offered an apology following the release of a controversial advertisement that triggered a swift and significant response from the U.S.
The core of the conflict stemmed from a $75 million ad campaign funded by the Ontario government. The advertisement featured former President Ronald Reagan, but presented a narrative Trump deemed “false” and a distortion of Reagan’s actual views on tariffs.
Trump explained that the ad attempted to portray Reagan as opposing tariffs, a claim he vehemently disputed. He emphasized Reagan’s historical support for tariffs, characterizing the advertisement as a deliberate misrepresentation designed to undermine his administration’s trade policies.
The initial airing of the advertisement prompted Trump to immediately halt trade negotiations with Canada, a decision he publicly announced on his social media platform. He expressed outrage that the ad continued to run, even during high-profile broadcasts like the World Series.
Following the continued broadcast, Trump retaliated by imposing an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods, building upon existing tariffs already in place. These prior tariffs ranged from 25% to 50% on key sectors like steel, aluminum, lumber, and automobiles.
Despite the contentious issue, Trump described his relationship with Carney as “very good” and stated he “likes him a lot.” He acknowledged and appreciated the Prime Minister’s apology, suggesting a potential path toward de-escalation.
The advertisement, originally slated to run until 2026, was ultimately pulled by Ontario Premier Doug Ford in an attempt to salvage trade talks. However, the damage was already done, and Trump’s immediate reaction had already reshaped the landscape of U.S.-Canada trade relations.
During the APEC meetings in South Korea, Trump and Carney reportedly enjoyed a dinner alongside other world leaders, a setting that may have facilitated the subsequent apology and a possible cooling of tensions between the two nations.
