OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday of approving Ontario's anti-tariff advertisements, which U.S. President Donald Trump cited as a reason for halting trade negotiations with Canada. This statement followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford's remarks that Carney and his chief of staff, Marc-Andre Blanchard, were aware of the ads before they were broadcast.

Poilievre has been increasing his criticism of Carney, particularly regarding Canada's failure to secure a trade deal with Trump. He stated, "He claims he was on the verge, once again, claims that he was on the verge of getting a deal. Then he approved the ad, and then he blamed the ad for the fact that there is no deal."

When asked if Ford should have withdrawn the ads sooner, Poilievre refrained from a direct answer. Instead, he noted that provincial leaders were stepping in to address the lack of progress on lifting U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Carney is currently on a nine-day trip to Asia. His departure coincided with Trump announcing on social media that he was ending trade talks with Canada, attributing his decision to the ads released by Ford's administration. The Prime Minister's Office has not commented on the situation. However, a senior federal official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the federal government did not participate in the creation or distribution of the ads.

The ad campaign, which cost $75 million, began airing two weeks ago and included 30-second and 60-second spots during high-profile events like the Major League Baseball championship series. The ads featured audio from a 1987 radio address by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, warning that high tariffs could lead to trade wars and economic downturns.

In his posts regarding the ads, Trump referenced a statement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, which encouraged listeners to hear the full context of Reagan's remarks, noting that parts of the speech were omitted in the ads.

Trump has since stated he does not plan to meet with Carney for an extended period. Meanwhile, Carney has expressed that Canada is prepared to resume negotiations and was close to finalizing a deal before Trump ended discussions.

Ford announced last week that Ontario would withdraw the ads at Carney's request, although they had already aired during two World Series games. The premier remarked that the ads had achieved their goal by generating significant discussion in the U.S. He emphasized that it was not his intention to provoke the president but to highlight the effects of the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade conflict, which began when Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods.

Ford also pointed out that the trade discussions primarily focused on U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, without addressing the auto sector. Carney's government has stated that it is concentrating on steel, aluminum, and energy in the current negotiations.

In response to the situation, British Columbia's NDP Premier David Eby announced plans for his province to launch its own advertising campaign targeting Americans regarding the impact of U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber, which Trump recently increased by 10 percent. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her approval of Ontario's decision to remove the ads, emphasizing the need to be cautious given the unpredictable nature of the U.S. administration.