U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized for an anti-tariff advertisement that led to increased tariffs on Canadian goods. During a press briefing aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump discussed his recent conversation with Carney at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in South Korea.

When asked if the U.S. would resume trade negotiations with Canada, Trump replied, "No," but emphasized that he has a "very good relationship" with Carney. He noted, "I like him a lot, but you know what they did was wrong. He was very nice. He apologized for what they did with the commercial. It was a false commercial. It was the exact opposite. Ronald Reagan loved tariffs, and they tried to make it look the other way. He did apologize, and I appreciated it."

The advertisement in question was funded by the Ontario government and featured former President Ronald Reagan discussing the negative impacts of tariffs on trade. The ad, which cost $75 million, was set to run until January 2026 but was pulled by Ontario Premier Doug Ford on October 24 in an effort to restart trade discussions. The ad ceased airing on Monday after Trump expressed his displeasure, particularly after it aired during the World Series.

In response to the ad, Trump announced a 10% increase in tariffs on Canadian goods, stating, "Their advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD. Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10 percent over and above what they are paying now."

Since taking office, Trump has imposed various tariffs on Canada, including a 35% tariff on goods not compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, as well as sector-specific tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on items like steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

Carney's office has not clarified the specifics of his apology or whether Trump indicated that trade negotiations would resume. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, mentioned that communication channels remain open but confirmed that trade talks have not resumed.

In the wake of the controversy, Carney shared a government advertisement on social media that highlights the need for Canada to diversify its exports away from the U.S. The ad features former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney alongside former President George H.W. Bush, emphasizing the importance of building new partnerships abroad.

Ford has actively campaigned against tariffs, writing opinion pieces in major U.S. newspapers to argue that tariffs threaten American jobs and increase costs for families. He referenced Reagan's commitment to free trade and criticized Trump's tariffs, stating, "Tariffs are threatening millions of American jobs. They’re making life more expensive for American families, raising the cost of everything from homes to gas and groceries."

As tensions continue, Ford's administration is working to strengthen internal trade agreements within Canada, aiming to bolster the economy and reduce reliance on U.S. markets. He noted that Canadian unity is growing in response to Trump's tariffs, with provinces collaborating on infrastructure projects to enhance trade routes and support local manufacturing.