Provincial Leader Doug Ford has remained steadfast behind his decision to run an anti-tariff TV spot in the United States that included Ronald Reagan and upset President Trump, saying "we've met our goal".
Ford added the TV spot had "a billion views", and has garnered attention from as far as the UK and the Indian subcontinent.
His comments on the start of the week follow President Trump halted trade negotiations with Canada over the advert and announced that he would hike tariffs on Canadian imports 10% "in addition to" existing taxes.
The two leaders are in Asia this period for the ASEAN conference, but Trump told reporters he had no plans to meet with the Prime Minister and won't be meeting him "in the foreseeable future".
Donald Trump revealed the extra 10% duty on Canadian products via a Truth Social post over the weekend. It is uncertain, however, if the extra charge would be applied broadly or on specific sectors.
Questioned on details on Monday, the President responded: "I'm uncertain when it's going to take effect, and we'll see, but I prefer not to discuss it."
- United States has enforced a 35% tariff on products from Canada, though the majority are excluded under an current trade pact.
- It has also imposed duties on specific sectors, including 50% on steel and aluminium and 25% on automobiles.
Carney told reporters on the start of the week that the US and Canada were near finalizing a trade agreement and were exchanging term sheets before talks concluded.
"Then there were the ads, and the situation shifted," Carney said.
This commercial, sponsored by the provincial administration, cites former US President Reagan as stating duties "hurt every American". It uses segments from his 1987 national radio address that centered on international commerce.
Trump had called it "fraudulent", and accused Canada of attempting to meddle in an upcoming US Supreme Court case that will consider whether the broad duties imposed by the president on multiple nations and many other states are legal.
Carney has stopped short from criticizing the Premier or the commercial itself, but he emphasized that it is the national government's duty to conduct trade talks with the United States.
Meanwhile, the Premier informed journalists on the beginning of the week that the prime minister had viewed the TV spot before it was aired, as did his chief of staff.
During a provincial session, Ford called the advert "the most effective in the history of North America" and stated it had ignited conversations throughout the United States and globally about the President's duties.
"President Trump seeks to target our nation, but I'm never going to take a back seat to President Trump," the Premier declared.
Several political figures in Canada have spoken out in backing Ford.
Patrick Brown, the Ontario city leader, told a national broadcaster on the previous day that he is "pleased our premier had the bravery to challenge the US president on his inconsistencies".
British Columbia Premier Eby announced his province is preparing to launch their anti-duty commercials next month over US levies on wood products.
