Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday that he had apologised to U.S. President Donald Trump over an anti-tariff political advert and had instructed Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to air it.
Speaking to reporters after attending an Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea, Carney said he had delivered the apology privately to Trump during a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president on Wednesday.
“I did apologise to the president,” Carney confirmed, echoing comments Trump made on Friday.
He also acknowledged that he had seen the advert with Ford before it was broadcast but said he had advised against it. “I told Ford I did not want to proceed with the ad,” he said.
The advert, commissioned by Ford, a vocal Conservative often likened to Trump features a clip of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs trigger trade wars and economic ruin.
In retaliation, Trump announced an increase in tariffs on Canadian goods, while Washington also suspended trade talks with Ottawa.
Departing South Korea earlier in the week, Trump described his encounter with Carney at the dinner as "very nice" but offered no details. On Friday, he reiterated that trade negotiations with Canada would remain on hold.
Carney said his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday marked a turning point in relations after years of strained ties.
The last formal meeting between Canadian and Chinese leaders took place in 2017, when then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau briefly spoke with Xi in San Francisco.
In recent years, several Canadian citizens have been detained or executed in China, and Canadian security agencies have concluded that Beijing interfered in at least two federal elections.
Carney said he had raised the issue of foreign interference, among other topics, in his discussion with Xi.
He added that his trip to Asia was part of broader efforts to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States. "It can’t happen overnight, but we’re moving very fast", he said.
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security,...
Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organis...
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings an...
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is "outpacing containment efforts" amid conflict, weak disease surveillance and limited...
Kazakhstan has reiterated that no existing route can replace the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which carries more than 80% of the country's crude...
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security, according to Associate Professor George Mchedlishvili of European University in Tbilisi.
Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states, underlining the country's growing economic engagement within the regional bloc.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is "outpacing containment efforts" amid conflict, weak disease surveillance and limited access to healthcare, according to London-based pharmacist and health commentator Thorrun Govind.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
A growing majority of Europeans believe the European Union should pursue a more independent foreign policy and reduce its reliance on the U.S., according to a new survey published on Friday.
An Inca child mummy discovered high in the Andes more than a century ago has been returned to an indigenous community in north-western Argentina after spending 119 years in a museum collection.
India is expected to experience its weakest monsoon in more than a decade in 2026, raising concerns over crop production, food prices and economic growth as the country also grapples with inflationary pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on suspicion of arson following a fire at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16, according to the country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The blaze, which happened in Kenya's Rift Valley, also injured dozens of students.
The British government has unveiled 300,000 new work experience and training placements for young people after a major review warned that rising youth unemployment could leave more young people disconnected from work, education and training.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment