Source: APN News
DST News: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that he had advised Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to broadcast an anti-tariff television advertisement that led U.S. President Donald Trump to abruptly halt trade talks with Canada.
Carney confirmed that he personally apologized to Trump during a dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, acknowledging that the U.S. leader was “offended” by the ad.
The Ontario government’s commercial, which aired in the United States, criticized Trump’s tariff policies and referenced a speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The ad provoked a strong reaction from Trump, who ended trade negotiations with Ottawa and announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports.
Asked on Saturday how Ford had responded to his request not to release the ad, Carney replied, “Well, you saw what came of it.”
“It’s not something I would have done,” he added during a press briefing at the conclusion of his nine-day visit to Asia.
Carney, a Liberal, and Ford, a populist Conservative, have long held contrasting political views. As Ontario’s premier, Ford’s role is comparable to that of a U.S. state governor.
“I’m the one responsible, as prime minister, for managing Canada’s relationship with the U.S. president,” Carney said. “The federal government oversees all foreign relations with the United States.”
