Canadian PM Apologizes to Trump Over Controversial Ad

Darwin, 02 November-

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump over a political advertisement that was widely criticized as being anti-Trump.

According to a report by The Guardian, Carney said he had urged Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to air the advertisement, which used remarks by former U.S. President and Republican icon Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs could lead to trade wars and economic disaster.

Speaking to reporters after attending the Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea on Saturday, Carney said he personally expressed regret to Trump during a dinner hosted by the South Korean President on Wednesday.

“During the dinner, I took the opportunity to personally apologize to President Trump,” Carney told journalists.

Trump confirmed the apology on Friday.

Carney added that he had reviewed the ad with Ford before it was aired and made it clear he did not support its broadcast.
“I told Ford directly, I do not want this ad to run,” Carney said.

Ontario’s conservative premier, Doug Ford, reportedly commissioned the ad, which led Trump to announce increased tariffs on Canadian goods and suspend ongoing trade talks with Ottawa.

After returning from South Korea, Trump told reporters he had a “very nice” conversation with Carney during the dinner, but offered no further details. He also confirmed that there were currently no plans to restart trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada.

Meanwhile, Carney said his Friday meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could mark a “turning point” in Canada-China relations.

The last formal meeting between Canadian and Chinese leaders took place in 2017, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Xi in San Francisco. Relations have since deteriorated following the detention and sentencing of several Canadian citizens in China and allegations of Chinese interference in at least two federal elections.

Carney said he discussed foreign interference and other key issues with Xi, adding that one of the main goals of his Asia trip was to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States.

“It won’t happen overnight, but we’re moving quickly,” the Canadian Prime Minister stated.