TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently revealed that he advised Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford against running an anti-tariff advertisement that ultimately led to U.S. President Donald Trump halting trade discussions with Canada. Carney confirmed this during a news conference held after a nine-day trip to Asia, where he also expressed regret to Trump during a dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit for any offense caused by the advertisement.
The contentious advertisement, which aired in the U.S., criticized Trump’s tariffs by referencing a speech from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The ad angered Trump, prompting him to terminate trade talks and announce a plan to increase tariffs on Canadian imports by an additional 10%. When questioned about Ford's reaction to Carney’s suggestion, Carney remarked, “Well, you saw what came of it. It’s not something I would have done.” This statement highlights the growing tension between the Canadian federal government and provincial leadership regarding trade relations.
Ford, a populist Conservative leader, is akin to a U.S. governor in his role as premier. Carney underscored his responsibility as Prime Minister for maintaining a positive relationship with the U.S. president, stating, “I’m the one who is responsible, in my role as prime minister, for the relationship with the president of the U.S., and the federal government is responsible for the foreign relationship with the U.S. government.” This sentiment reflects the complex dynamics of Canadian politics where federal and provincial interests sometimes clash.
A spokesperson for Ford did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Carney's advice about the advertisement. Notably, Ford had previously indicated that Carney and his chief of staff had viewed the advertisement prior to its release. Although Ford eventually pulled the ad last Monday, he permitted its airing during the initial two games of the World Series.
Trump criticized the advertisement for misrepresenting Reagan’s stance on tariffs, claiming that the former president, a beloved figure among Republicans, was not supportive of such trade barriers. In fact, Reagan was known for his cautious approach toward tariffs, and the 1987 speech referenced in Ontario’s ad made a strong case against them.
The timing of the advertisement has raised concerns for Trump, who believes it may have been aimed at influencing the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming hearings about his authority to impose significant tariffs, a crucial element of his economic strategy. Lower courts have previously ruled that Trump exceeded his authority in this regard.
Amidst these trade tensions, Carney has been actively pursuing a deal to reduce tariffs on key sectors such as steel and aluminum. He emphasized the negative impact tariffs are having on various industries, including aluminum, steel, automotive, and lumber. With over three-quarters of Canadian exports directed to the U.S., and nearly 3.6 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border daily, these trade relationships are critical for Canada’s economy.
In light of the recent challenges, Carney stated that Canada must diversify its trade partnerships. He announced that his next significant step will be the federal budget scheduled for November 4, where he intends to introduce measures aimed at protecting and diversifying the Canadian economy. “We can spend our time watching Truth Social,” Carney remarked, highlighting the need for Canada to focus on actionable strategies rather than getting caught up in political distractions.
