Why Canada’s PM Carney Advised Ontario’s Premier Against an Anti-Tariff Ad That Ruffled Trump’s Feathers

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently shared that he advised Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford against airing an advertisement that criticized U.S. tariffs. This ad led to U.S. President Donald Trump terminating trade discussions with Canada.

During a dinner at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Carney confirmed he apologized to Trump, who felt offended by the ad. It aired in the U.S. and referenced a speech from former President Ronald Reagan, criticizing Trump’s tariffs.

Trump found the ad upsetting and stated his intent to increase tariffs on Canadian goods by 10%. When asked how Ford responded to Carney’s advice, he said, “You saw what came of it. It’s not something I would have done.” The stark difference in their political alignments—Ford being a populist Conservative and Carney a Liberal—adds complexity to their interaction.

During a news conference, Carney emphasized that as prime minister, he is responsible for maintaining good relations with the U.S. government. A spokesperson for Ford did not immediately clarify if Carney had indeed told him to avoid the ad. Interestingly, Ford previously mentioned that Carney and his chief of staff had seen the ad before it went public.

Ford eventually decided to pull the ad last week but allowed it to air during the early games of the World Series. Trump argued the ad misrepresented Reagan’s stance, despite the former president’s own skepticism about tariffs, highlighted in the very speech featured in the ad.

Trump has also expressed concern that the ad was meant to sway the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of critical arguments this month over whether he has the authority to enforce his sweeping tariffs, something lower courts previously challenged.

Carney met with Trump at the White House last month while seeking a trade agreement that would reduce tariffs on key sectors like steel and aluminum. Tariffs are notably impacting industries such as automotive and lumber. In fact, over three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the U.S., amounting to nearly $2.7 billion in goods and services crossing the border daily.

Recognizing this reliance, Carney highlighted the need for Canada to diversify its trade relationships. He plans to address this in the upcoming federal budget on November 4, aiming to introduce strategies for protecting the economy. “We can spend our time watching Truth Social,” Carney noted, suggesting that Canada should concentrate on what it can control.

In today’s digital age, public sentiment can quickly influence political decisions. Social media reactions to events like these can reshape narratives, highlighting the importance of communication and strategy in international relations.

For those interested in deeper insights on U.S.-Canada trade relations, a [report from the Canadian government](https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/07/the-canada-united-states-trade-relationship.html) explores this topic extensively and provides valuable context.

Source link

Ronald Reagan, Mark Carney, Donald Trump, Doug Ford, Canada government, International trade, Canada, General news, Tariffs and global trade, Economic policy, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Government policy, Politics, Conservatism, World news