GYEONGJU – Prime Minister Mark Carney says he told Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to run the ad campaign that’s being blamed for ending trade talks with the U.S.
Carney also confirmed he did apologize to U.S. President Donald Trump — both because the president was offended by the ad and also because it’s not something he would have done.
The apology happened at a dinner on Wednesday hosted by the South Korean president at the start of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju.
Trump cut off trade talks late last week, citing his frustration over an anti-tariff TV ad campaign the Ontario government was running in American markets.
The ad features former president Ronald Reagan railing against tariffs in a 1987 radio address, and Trump has claimed the ad is false.
Trump said Friday that while he has a very good relationship with Carney, trade talks have not restarted.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2025.
