Mark Carney, Canadian prime minister, apologized to Donald Trump for a recent political ad that referred back Ronald Reagan’s view on tariffs.
This advertisement was shown on the major U.S. TV networks in early this month. It drew some criticism because it portrayed Reagan’s radio speech on trade barriers from 1987. The address was delivered by Reagan during his presidency and highlighted the potential dangers of tariffs.
This advertisement was ordered by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The advertisement used audio clips of Reagan’s remarks to highlight concerns over proposed U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods. Ford said the ad was an attempt to communicate Reagan’s viewpoint directly to American audiences. It noted that it had been broadcasted on major networks.
Later, he referred to the advertisement as being one of his most effective and successful ads in the course of his career.
White House responded quickly to the release of the advertisement on October 14,2025. They claimed that excerpts from the original ad did not accurately represent Reagan’s comments. The controversy led President Trump to suspend ongoing trade talks with Canada, and place an extra 10 percent tariff upon certain Canadian imports.
In a Truth Social posting, Trump said that the advertisement incorrectly depicted Reagan’s position, and that Reagan had supported tariffs when the interests of the U.S. were aligned.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation also spoke out. This nonprofit is dedicated to maintaining the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation argued the advertisement used selective editing, leading to misinterpretation of Reagan’s full position on trade policy.
Carney expressed his reservations when he reviewed the script of an advertisement with Ford before it was aired. Carney stated that he had advised against the launch of the campaign, but it was not implemented. According to Carney’s statements, he advised against launching the campaign but was overruled.
Carney told reporters on Saturday October 25th 2025 that he apologized privately to Trump after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea. The incident occurred at a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president the previous Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Carney explained that the apology was meant to address the unintended consequences of the advertisement on bilateral relationships.
Carney described Trump’s gesture as polite. Trump pointed out that Carney had addressed the content of the advertisement during their conversation, signaling the potential for a deescalation.
The episode takes place against the backdrop of Canada’s evolving economic strategy. Carney met with Chinese president Xi Jinping during the same Asia trip on October 24th, 2025.
Ford’s comments in the following months defended its facts without renouncing his original endorsement.
By the end of October 2025 no new tariff adjustments had been made, and all trade negotiations were paused until further discussion. Observers have noted that an apology could pave the path for a return to discussions.
