In the ongoing saga surrounding a controversial anti-tariff ad aired by the Ontario government, questions have emerged about the involvement of the prime minister and his chief of staff. The ad, which triggered a response from U.S. President Donald Trump, was a focal point during Mark Carney’s visit to Singapore.
The Prime Minister’s Office has refrained from making any additional comments on the ad that led to the breakdown of trade negotiations with the United States. Despite the federal government’s assertion that it oversees negotiations, a senior official maintained that the ad was solely the decision of the Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford.
Ford defended the ad, stating that both the prime minister and his senior advisers had reviewed it before its release. He emphasized that the ad successfully raised awareness about the impact of tariffs in the U.S., achieving its intended purpose.
When asked about Trump’s decision to cancel trade talks due to the ad, Carney advised taking the president’s reasons at face value. Carney reiterated that the Canadian government holds the responsibility for trade negotiations with the U.S., welcoming input from various stakeholders.
Trump, on the other hand, blamed Carney for the ad and indicated his reluctance to meet with the prime minister at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea. Trump accused Canada of meddling in U.S. legal matters and threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian imports by an additional 10%.
While it remains unclear who apologized to Trump, Carney confirmed that he had not directly communicated with the president following the trade talks’ disruption. Carney’s schedule in Singapore included a visit to the Port of Singapore and a meeting with the CEO of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, a significant sovereign wealth fund managing assets globally.
