Tensions between Washington and Ottawa have escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rejected a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The move follows Trump’s anger over a Canadian provincial ad campaign that used Ronald Reagan’s words to criticize tariffs.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters he has no plans to meet with Carney “any time soon.” He also reiterated his threat to impose an additional 10 percent duty on Canadian goods, calling the Ontario government’s TV campaign “fraudulent.”
The ad, produced by Premier Doug Ford’s government, features a 1987 Reagan radio address that warned against the dangers of excessive tariffs. The clip was used to highlight concerns about protectionist trade policies. Trump, however, accused the ad makers of misrepresenting Reagan’s stance, claiming the late president “loved tariffs for our country and its national security.”
Prime Minister Carney, speaking to reporters at the summit on Monday, sought to downplay the fallout. “In any complicated, high-stakes negotiation, you can get unexpected twists and turns, and you have to keep your cool during those situations,” he said. “It doesn’t pay to be upset. Emotions don’t carry you very far.”
Carney confirmed he has not spoken with Trump since the president abruptly ended trade talks last Thursday. He said both sides had made “considerable progress” in discussions on steel, aluminum, and energy before the dispute erupted. The prime minister described the sudden breakdown as “unexpected” but maintained Canada’s readiness to return to negotiations “when appropriate.”
Despite Trump’s refusal to meet at ASEAN, Carney said he plans to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the summit. The meeting signals Ottawa’s ongoing efforts to expand trade relations beyond North America as tensions with Washington rise.
The diplomatic spat adds a new strain to what was previously described as a warming relationship between Trump and Carney. Their early meetings were marked by optimism about resetting bilateral trade discussions after years of disputes. But the renewed threat of tariffs and political messaging has quickly shifted the tone.
Observers say the latest conflict highlights how easily trade relations between the two allies can be disrupted by domestic politics. For now, Canada’s government appears determined to stay calm and await a change in tone from Washington before any new trade talks resume.
