While U.S. President Donald Trump described the gesture as “very nice,” he maintained his refusal to resume trade negotiations with Ottawa.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed his personal apology to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a commercial, commissioned by a regional government, which utilized Ronald Reagan footage to critique trade tariffs.
Speaking to journalists in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Saturday, Carney stated that the advertisement, commissioned by the Ontario government, had deeply “offended” Trump. He further indicated that he would not have authorized its release if he had been consulted.
Aired earlier this month, the commercial incorporated segments from Reagan’s 1987 speech on trade policy and his application of tariffs against Japan, aiming to portray the late Republican figure as an opponent of protectionism. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute subsequently accused Ontario of unauthorized use of the content and misrepresenting Reagan’s historical stance.
Trump reacted with anger, labeling the Canadians’ actions as “egregious behavior” and declaring the suspension of existing trade discussions with Ottawa. Additionally, he imposed further tariffs on Canadian imports as a consequence.
On Friday, the U.S. president disclosed that Carney had extended an apology, which Trump deemed “very nice,” despite the continued suspension of talks. Trump remarked, “Ronald Reagan loved tariffs – and they tried to make it look the other way.”
Carney’s comments followed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, an event both leaders participated in this week in South Korea.