Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at a lack of progress in trade discussions with the United States, despite offering an apology to President Donald Trump for an ad campaign that led to the abrupt cessation of negotiations. During a recent news conference about the government’s budget, Carney briefly addressed the status of his conversations with Trump, indicating uncertainty about whether negotiations would resume.
The prime minister revealed that the talks have not yet been revived, mentioning his recent conversation with Trump at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, where he conveyed his apologies for the controversial TV ads. Following the Ontario government-backed campaign featuring negative remarks from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan on tariffs, Trump halted the trade talks on October 23 and threatened further punitive tariffs on Canadian goods.
Despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford pulling the ad, discussions remain at a standstill. Canada has been eager to secure a deal to eliminate sectorial tariffs, particularly on steel and aluminum. Trump, when asked by reporters, expressed a negative outlook on the possibility of negotiations with Canada resuming, although he praised Carney as “nice.”
Carney admitted to having seen the ad before its release and advised Ford against it. Ford, however, recalled differently, stating that Carney had contacted him multiple times from Asia to request the withdrawal of the TV spots. The premier acknowledged Carney’s challenging position in dealing with the president’s stance on trade negotiations.
In a related development, B.C. Premier David Eby announced the termination of a plan to air ads targeting Trump’s tariffs, citing concerns raised by the federal government. Eby emphasized a commitment to collaborate with the federal government when engaging directly with Americans on trade matters, as highlighted during a summit on the softwood lumber industry, which has been significantly impacted by U.S. tariffs.
While Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Canadian imports, no executive order has been issued, and a specific implementation date remains pending.
