OTTAWA, Canada — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government remains open to restarting trade negotiations with the United States “when the Americans are ready,” following President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to halt the talks over a controversial advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan.
The 60-second advert, sponsored by the province of Ontario, quotes Reagan warning against tariffs, describing them as harmful to “every American.”
The video sparked outrage in Washington, with Trump calling it “FAKE” and “egregious,” and announcing the immediate termination of trade discussions.
The advertisement, part of a $75 million campaign aired on US television networks, mixes archival footage and audio from Reagan’s 1987 national address on free and fair trade.
In it, Reagan cautions against protectionist policies, saying, “Over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American, worker and consumer.”
The Reagan Presidential Foundation criticised the ad, accusing Ontario’s government of using “selective” excerpts without authorisation and misrepresenting the late president’s message.
The foundation said it was “reviewing legal options.”
Trump seized on the foundation’s statement, declaring that the video was designed to “interfere” with an upcoming US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of his sweeping tariff regime.
The decision, expected in November, could determine whether Washington must refund billions of dollars collected in levies.
Speaking in Ottawa on Friday, Carney avoided direct criticism of Trump but reaffirmed Canada’s preference for diplomacy.
“We’ve made a lot of progress, and we’re ready to resume trade discussions when the Americans are ready,” he said.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to strengthen our partnerships around the world.”
The Canadian leader has been working to ease US tariffs that have hit key sectors of the Canadian economy, especially in Ontario, which exports heavily to American markets.
Three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the US, making the country particularly vulnerable to Washington’s trade measures.
Trump’s administration recently imposed a 35 percent levy on many Canadian imports, along with targeted tariffs on automobiles, steel, and other industrial goods.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been among the most vocal critics of Trump’s tariff policies, describing them as “a knife pulled and yanked into us.”
Ford defended the Reagan advertisement, later posting the full version of Reagan’s 1987 speech on X (formerly Twitter).
“Canada and the United States are friends, neighbours, and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together,” Ford wrote.
Ford’s administration maintains that the advert accurately reflects Reagan’s pro-trade message, though it rearranges the sequence of his original remarks for emphasis.
At the White House, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said frustration had been “building up over time” with Canada’s trade stance.
“The Canadians have been very difficult,” he said.
A White House spokesperson called the ad “the latest example of how Canadian officials would rather play games than engage with the administration.”
Trump doubled down on social media, insisting that Reagan “LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY,” contradicting the late president’s recorded remarks.
Trump’s tariffs — including a 50 percent levy on metals and 25 percent on automobiles — have strained cross-border trade and led to significant job losses in Ontario’s manufacturing sector.
The fallout has reignited concerns about the health of the North American trade relationship, even after earlier disputes over digital service taxes and auto exports were temporarily resolved.
For now, Canada’s message remains measured.
“We’re ready when they are,” Carney said — signalling that despite political tensions, Ottawa still hopes the path to negotiation with Washington remains open.
