Canadian Prime Minister Apologizes to Trump Over Reagan-Inspired ‘Tariff’ Ad That Sparked Diplomatic Rift

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has formally apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump following an uproar over a controversial advertisement that aired across major American networks — an ad that used former President Ronald Reagan’s words to criticize Trump’s trade policies.

The advertisement, commissioned by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, featured excerpts from a 1987 Reagan radio address warning about the dangers of tariffs and protectionism. In the original speech, Reagan cautioned that tariffs could backfire, triggering trade wars and damaging the global economy.

The Ford government used portions of Reagan’s remarks to suggest that Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian goods mirrored the kind of protectionist policies Reagan opposed — a framing that ignited a swift and angry reaction from Washington.

Within hours of the ad airing in mid-October, the White House denounced it as “misleading,” arguing that the selected soundbites had stripped Reagan’s comments of their broader context. The administration claimed that the late president had actually supported limited, strategic tariffs when necessary to protect American industries and national security.

Trump, furious over what he called a “false and manipulative” ad, temporarily suspended trade negotiations with Canada and announced a new 10% tariff on select Canadian imports — escalating tensions between two of the world’s closest trading partners.

Reagan Foundation Criticizes “Selective Editing”

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation weighed in soon after, warning that the advertisement’s editing risked distorting Reagan’s full position. “President Reagan’s record makes clear that he believed in fair trade — not unilateral disarmament in the face of unfair practices,” the foundation stated. “To use his words selectively to score political points undermines that legacy.”

The fallout was immediate. Media outlets on both sides of the border described the episode as a self-inflicted diplomatic crisis, one that complicated months of progress toward a revised U.S.–Canada trade framework.

Carney Acknowledges “Unintended Diplomatic Fallout”

Speaking to reporters a week later following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, Carney confirmed that he had personally apologized to Trump during a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president.

“I expressed regret that the advertisement had created unnecessary tension between our governments,” Carney said. “It was never the intention to misrepresent anyone’s words or jeopardize the progress we’ve made on trade cooperation.”

According to sources familiar with the meeting, Carney told Trump the ad had been reviewed by his office prior to its airing but that he had urged Ford to reconsider the campaign’s tone. Those concerns were ultimately ignored, as Ford’s team believed the spot would resonate with Canadian voters frustrated over tariffs.

Trump Says Apology Accepted — But Talks Still on Hold

President Trump confirmed the exchange to reporters aboard Air Force One as he departed for Mar-a-Lago. “He was very nice. He apologized for what they did with the commercial — it was a false commercial,” Trump said. “You know, it was the exact opposite. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs.”

When asked whether trade negotiations with Canada would resume, Trump struck a softer tone but offered no firm commitment: “No, but I have a very good relationship. I like him a lot.”

What the Controversial Ad Said

The advertisement in question pulled from Reagan’s April 1987 radio commentary:

“When someone says, ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing by protecting American products and jobs. And sometimes, for a short time, it works. But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer. High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars… The way to prosperity for all nations is rejecting protectionist legislation and promoting fair and free competition.”

The Ford government’s ad ended with the tagline, “Even Reagan knew tariffs hurt working families.”

Critics argue that while Reagan did warn of the dangers of excessive tariffs, he also supported using them strategically — a nuance absent from the commercial.

The Broader Context: Trump’s Trade Strategy

Since returning to office, President Trump has reinstated tariffs as a central tool of his economic policy. His administration has framed the measures as necessary leverage to force trading partners to reduce barriers on American goods.

Over the summer, Trump successfully brokered several bilateral deals that led some nations to lower their import taxes, averting the full implementation of his proposed “reciprocal” tariffs. However, a baseline 10% tariff — roughly triple the pre-2025 level — remains in place.

Canada, under the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiated during Trump’s first term, has been largely shielded from the steepest increases. Most Canadian exports, including automobiles and agricultural products, remain exempt from the 25% tariff imposed on non-North American vehicles.

Still, Ford’s ad rekindled fears of economic retaliation — concerns that briefly materialized when Trump halted negotiations in mid-October.

Aftermath and Moving Forward

Following the controversy, both Ottawa and Washington have signaled a desire to restore normal diplomatic and economic engagement. Canadian officials have avoided public criticism of the U.S. administration, emphasizing instead the importance of cooperation and shared prosperity.

Carney told reporters that “Canada’s priority remains strengthening our economic ties with the United States and ensuring mutual benefit for our citizens.”

For now, trade talks remain paused — but the apology may have prevented a deeper rift between two nations whose economies are deeply intertwined.