Mark Carney tells US to ‘start being serious’ amid escalating trade war

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sharply rebuked the US administration for its aggressive approach in recent trade talks, urging Washington to "stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough." His comments came as trade negotiations between the two nations collapsed on August 21, following a string of retaliatory actions from the Trump administration, including renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" and mocking Canadian military cadets.

Carney argued that the US's push for trade terms could leave Canadian industries "gradually wound down in Canada and wiped out" and accused Washington of pursuing an "uncompetitive" deal. He also criticized the US for seeking to limit Canada's future trade deals and imposing limits on its sovereignty. Carney emphasized that Canada is a sovereign state and will strike free trade agreements with countries it chooses to do so.

The prime minister's stance was bolstered by recent Liberal victories in special elections, which strengthened his position as he confronts the US over the trade dispute. Political scientist Nelson Wiseman noted that Trump's annexation threats are particularly concerning for Quebec, where the preservation of the French language is a significant concern for many residents.