Canada Open to US Trade Talks Once “America Is Ready”, PM Says

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that Canada is prepared to resume trade negotiations with the United States “when the Americans are ready,” following US President Donald Trump’s abrupt announcement ending talks over a controversial Canadian advertisement.

Trump’s decision, posted on his social media platform Truth Social, came after Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, launched a campaign criticizing US tariffs. The advertisement included excerpts from a 1987 speech by former President Ronald Reagan, emphasizing that high tariffs “hurt every American, worker, and consumer” and warning that trade barriers can lead to retaliation, shrinking markets, and job losses.

Trump labeled the ad “FAKE” and “egregious” declaring that the trade talks were “HEREBY TERMINATED.” He also suggested the video was intended to “interfere with” the US Supreme Court’s pending review of the legality of his global tariffs. The court is set to hear arguments on Nov. 5, in what is seen as a major legal test of Trump’s tariff policies.

“We are ready to continue the progress and build on it when the Americans are ready because it will benefit workers in the United States and Canada and families in both countries,” Carney told the media before departing for the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur. While he avoided directly addressing the ad, he highlighted progress in recent trade discussions and Canada’s efforts to expand partnerships with other regions, including Asia.

Trump has imposed tariffs ranging from 25% on automobiles to 50% on metals and steel, hitting Canadian exports hard. Ontario, a major industrial hub, has been particularly affected. “Canada and the United States are friends, neighbours and allies. President Ronald Reagan knew that we are stronger together,” said Doug Ford, Premiere, Ontario, who also posted the full Reagan speech online in response.

The Reagan Foundation criticized the advertisement for using “selective” audio and video, saying it “misrepresents” Reagan’s speech and indicated it was reviewing legal options. The ad rearranged segments of Reagan’s 1987 speech, originally delivered to explain tariffs on specific Japanese goods, which Reagan described as “steps that I am loath to take” and intended to lift as soon as possible to promote economic growth through free trade.

US National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told reporters that “frustration has built up over time” with Canada and described the pause in negotiations as a “time-out” that may be necessary given the circumstances.