Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dropped a bombshell: he apologized directly to President Donald Trump for a provocative anti-tariff ad that used Ronald Reagan’s voice, which left Trump fuming and halted US-Canada trade talks while adding 10% tariffs. “I did apologise to the president. The President was offended,” Carney confessed to reporters after an Asia-Pacific summit.
The drama unfolded last month when Ontario sponsored the ad, airing it during the World Series. It pieced together Reagan’s speeches to warn against tariffs causing job losses and trade wars, but critics say it twisted his pro-free trade stance by omitting context on limited protections against Japan.
“High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford stood firm, boasting to reporters, “We have achieved our goal… The best ad that ever ran, I’ll tell you,” celebrating how it ignited the tariff debate despite the backlash.
This clash highlights the high stakes of political ads in international relations – one viral spot can freeze billions in trade. As Carney pushes to restart talks, it’s a lesson in diplomacy: words, even from the past, can ignite modern battles.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through the ads.