'Stop doing memes': Canada's Mark Carney hits back at US as trade war intensifies

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the United States' recent online barbs, urging Washington to cease "doing memes, throwing shade and trying to be tough." This came after trade discussions between the two nations collapsed, following a series of heated exchanges.

Carney suggested that trade talks could resume if the United States demonstrated a genuine commitment to negotiations. "When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade and stop trying to be tough, and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions. It's not constructive, but that's their democracy," he told reporters.

The Canadian leader criticized the US approach, stating it would leave Canadian industries effectively as "subsidiaries" of American companies or impose terms that would "gradually wind down" Canadian businesses. He firmly declared that Canada would not accept such conditions.

Carney emphasized that Washington sought an "uncompetitive" deal for key industries, including automobiles, while also advocating for changes impacting French-language and cultural protections. He argued that any one of these issues would have been sufficient to derail an agreement.

Furthermore, Carney pointed out that the United States sought limits on Canada's future trade deals, asserting Canada's right to forge trade agreements with any country it chooses. Despite this, he acknowledged that there had been "mutually beneficial" aspects to a potential deal prior to its breakdown.

The trade negotiations ended on August 21, after the two sides failed to reach a consensus. Since then, the United States has intensified its criticism, including renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" and taunting Canada on social media. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Canada could not reciprocate in kind with an economy that is "13 times larger."

The trade war escalated further when US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mocked the Canadian military online with a post of two female cadets, drawing Carney's disapproval. The Pentagon, however, defended the post, stating that it was "not beneath their office."

The trade talks broke down after both parties failed to agree, prompting the United States to impose 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada, in retaliation, will impose duties on nearly $20 billion in US goods starting September 8, with rates ranging from 15% to 50%.