PM of Canada says he has apologized to Trump for Reagan-themed ad

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-07T14:04:21+00:00

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized to President Trump for an ad criticizing trade tariffs that used footage of Ronald Reagan, which Trump found offensive. The ad led to suspended trade talks and additional tariffs on Canadian imports.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-07 14:04:21

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(MENAFN) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed on Saturday that he personally apologized to US President Donald Trump for a commercial commissioned by Ontario’s regional government that used clips of Ronald Reagan to criticize trade tariffs.

The ad, Carney said at a press conference in Gyeongju, South Korea, had “offended” Trump, and he would not have approved it had he been consulted beforehand.

The commercial, which aired earlier this month, spliced footage from Reagan’s 1987 speech on trade and his use of tariffs against Japan, implying that the late Republican president opposed protectionism. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute criticized Ontario for using the material without permission and misrepresenting Reagan’s record.

Trump reacted angrily, calling the ad “egregious behavior,” suspending ongoing trade talks with Canada, and imposing additional tariffs on Canadian imports. On Friday, the US president said Carney had reached out with an apology and was “very nice,” though the trade discussions remain on hold.

Carney’s comments followed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, which both leaders attended.

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