Canada-U.S. Tensions Rise After PM Carney's Apology to Trump

Tensions have escalated between Canada and the United States as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued an apology to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding an advertisement that quoted former President Ronald Reagan. The ad, which aired during the World Series, prompted Trump to suspend negotiations on trade with Canada and announce his intention to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports. Carney confirmed the apology at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in South Korea, stating, “I did apologise to the president.” The controversial advertisement utilized excerpts from a 1987 radio address by Reagan, in which he cautioned against the detrimental effects of tariffs on the American economy. Reagan had stated, “Such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer” during his speech. Carney acknowledged that the ad, financed by Ontario, was “not something I would have done” and revealed that Trump expressed his offense at the content. President Trump remarked on the situation, indicating that while Carney had shown remorse, he believed “what he did was wrong.” The advertisement was initially previewed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who had shared it with Carney before it aired. Carney advised against proceeding with it. The advert reportedly attracted a significant audience, with Ford claiming it had achieved “one billion views,” gaining attention even beyond North America. Tensions further intensified following the ad’s release, culminating in an “expletive-laced tirade” between U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra and Ontario trade representative David Paterson. Ford condemned Hoekstra's comments as “absolutely unacceptable” and expressed the need for an apology from him. Since taking office, President Trump has enacted extensive tariffs on multiple countries, including Canada. The U.S. currently imposes a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, although many products are exempt under a free trade agreement. Notably, tariffs of 50% on steel and aluminum, along with 25% on automobiles, have particularly impacted the Ontario economy. Further complicating matters, Trump has alleged that the advertisement was intended to interfere with an ongoing U.S. Supreme Court case that will determine the legality of his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and other nations.