Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that Prime Minister Mark Carney contacted him multiple times from Asia, urging him to withdraw an advertisement campaign believed to have derailed trade negotiations with the United States. Carney expressed his disagreement with the ad featuring critical remarks from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan on tariffs.
Ford, avoiding specifics, mentioned that his recollection of the conversations differed from Carney’s account. Despite agreeing to halt the ads, they continued airing during the World Series, resulting in U.S. President Donald Trump halting trade discussions and threatening additional tariffs on Canadian products.
Ford acknowledged Carney’s persistent requests to remove the ads, emphasizing that he paused the campaign as planned. He emphasized that their relationship remains positive. Trump reportedly took offense to the ad and Carney apologized without informing Ford beforehand.
The Prime Minister’s Office refrained from directly addressing Ford’s statements but reiterated their commitment to engaging with the U.S. government for a mutually beneficial trade deal. Ford defended the ad’s impact, highlighting its extensive viewership and attributing it to a U.S. Senate resolution against tariffs.
The initial ad campaign, costing $75 million, was scheduled to run throughout the winter but was terminated prematurely. The actual expenses incurred by taxpayers following its cancellation remain undisclosed. While Canada is prepared to resume trade discussions, formal negotiations have not recommenced.
