Trump says Carney apologized for Reagan ad, but trade talks still frozen

U.S. President Donald Trump says Carney personally apologized for a controversial Ontario ad campaign that derailed trade talks between the two countries — but confirmed negotiations remain stalled.

Source: Facebook

U.S. President Donald Trump says Prime Minister Mark Carney personally apologized for a controversial Ontario ad campaign that derailed trade talks between the two countries — but confirmed negotiations remain stalled.

Asked by reporters Friday whether Canada and the United States would resume talks on lifting tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other goods, Trump replied: “No.”

“But I have a very good relationship. I like him a lot,” Trump added, referring to Carney. “He was very nice. He apologized for what they did with the commercial.”

The ad in question—a $75-million campaign launched by the Ontario government—featured a decades-old clip of former president Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump claimed the footage was selectively edited to falsely suggest Reagan opposed trade barriers, calling it a “false commercial.”

“It was the exact opposite,” Trump said Friday. “Ronald Reagan loved tariffs.”

While Ontario Premier Doug Ford has since confirmed Carney was aware of the ad’s content ahead of its release, the Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on whether Carney issued a direct apology.

The ads, which aired during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series, triggered backlash from Trump last week. He abruptly halted trade negotiations and floated the idea of new tariffs on Canadian goods.

Carney said Canada remains ready to return to the negotiating table. He told reporters during his Asia-Pacific tour that discussions had been “very detailed” and constructive until the ads aired.

Ford has said the ads would be pulled after the World Series, but the delay did little to placate the White House. Trump publicly linked the campaign to Carney’s leadership, despite its provincial origins.

The two leaders have not held a formal bilateral meeting during their time in Asia, though they were seen briefly exchanging pleasantries at a state dinner in South Korea earlier this week.

The Carney government has used the trade fallout to bolster its message on diversification, vowing to reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the United States. In recent days, Carney has announced efforts to attract foreign investment and promote Canadian liquefied natural gas exports across Southeast Asia.