Mark Carney’s apology to Donald Trump: Far from ‘elbows up,’ it seems Canada has no elbows at all

Mark Carney’s Apology to Donald Trump

An Ontario advertisement highlighting Ronald Reagan’s support for free trade may have been a questionable choice. However, Mark Carney’s subsequent apology to Donald Trump proved to be a needless misstep.

Recent revelations show that Prime Minister Mark Carney apologized for an Ontario ad quoting Reagan’s actual words, which accurately reflected the late U.S. president’s stance on free trade. The apology’s implication is clear:

“Sorry Ontario accurately described Ronald Reagan’s stand on free trade, Mr. We understand those words hurt your feelings and challenged your version of the truth, which of course is unacceptable. We promise we won’t let the facts get in the way of our relationship again.”

Canada’s Approach to Relations with Trump

During last spring’s election, slogans like “Elbows up” and “Canada Strong” were emphasized to show resilience against Trump’s policies. Yet both the federal government and the Official Opposition have maintained a largely conciliatory and sometimes deferential posture. Instead of standing firm, Canada often appears to lack the assertiveness needed in critical negotiations.

Why Mark Carney Keeps Yielding to Trump

Carney issued an apology for something that wasn’t his fault and was defensible under normal Canada-U.S. relations. Supporters of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and defenders of Carney—often the same individuals—argue the advertisement itself was ill-advised from the start.

Nonetheless, the apology highlights a broader pattern of Canada frequently backing down instead of pushing back in its dealings with the United States under Trump’s influence.

Summary

Mark Carney’s apology reveals Canada’s repeated willingness to defer to Trump, sacrificing factual accuracy and assertiveness in its trade relations.

The Conversation — 2025-11-04