On Friday, President Trump reported that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed regret over an Ontario-produced advertisement that showcased former President Ronald Reagan’s stance against tariffs. This occurred following Trump’s decision to halt trade negotiations with Canada.
“He was very kind. He apologized for what he did in the commercial because it was a false commercial. You know, it was the exact opposite. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs,” Trump commented to reporters aboard Air Force One, en route to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the weekend.
When asked if he planned to resume trade discussions with Carney, Trump replied: “No, but we have a very good relationship. I like him very much.”
After a meeting the previous Thursday, the two leaders had dinner together while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in South Korea, alongside other world leaders.
The ad that upset Trump was produced by the Conservative-led government of Ontario, rather than Carney’s own Liberal administration.
Trump noted, “When someone says, ‘Let’s put tariffs on foreign imports,’ it seems like they are acting patriotically to protect American jobs and products. That approach might work temporarily, but ultimately, these trade barriers tend to harm all American workers and consumers.”
The Ontario advertisement included audio of Reagan from an April 1987 radio address, where he warned that tariffs wouldn’t be effective in the long term and would ultimately “hurt” Americans.
“High tariffs will inevitably lead to foreign retaliation and fierce trade wars, followed by the worst-case scenario, when markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries close, and millions of people lose their jobs,” Reagan articulated in the audio.
He added, “The path to prosperity for all countries is to reject protectionist laws and promote fair and free competition.”
