- US-Canada trade talks collapsed just over one week ago, with the US instituting 50% tariffs on $20 billion in goods from Canada.
- Canada threatened to impose $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs starting on 8 September.
- Carney suspended trade negotiations with Washington in August, calling last-minute US demands 'unfair' and 'uneconomic'.
- Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America'.
- US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer downplayed the impact of the trade tensions, stating 'It's more their emergency than ours' and 'There are no negotiations happening on trade right now'.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mocked Canada's military, questioning, 'they're going to take their two submarines from the Edmonton Mall and sic them on us?'
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a mocking image of Canadian army cadets on X.
- Carney hit back, stating, 'When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions.'
- Canadian voters endorsed Carney's approach, with the Liberals winning all three special elections in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.
- Carney criticized recent rhetoric from the Trump administration as 'not constructive', stating Canada is prepared to engage in trade talks when the US is ready to 'stop doing memes, stop posturing, stop trying to be tough and start being serious'.
- Carney received a political boost as his Liberal Party swept three federal special elections, including flipping a Conservative-held seat in Quebec.
- The Quebec result was significant as it includes industries affected by the escalating US-Canada trade war.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has sharply criticized U.S. officials for mocking Canada's military, stating that tariff negotiations can only resume when Americans 'start being serious'. This statement comes as Canada prepares to retaliate against U.S. tariffs with its own duties on American goods.
Carney's remarks were directed at U.S. trade representatives who have blamed Canada for the ongoing trade war. He emphasized that discussions can only happen when the U.S. stops 'doing memes' and 'throwing shade'. He described the current rhetoric from U.S. officials as 'not constructive' and beneath their office.10
The backdrop to this exchange is the escalating trade tensions, with Canada poised to impose $20 billion in retaliatory tariffs starting September 8. U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer downplayed the situation, stating, 'It’s more their emergency than ours' and noted that no negotiations are currently happening.
In a separate incident, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dismissed the military capabilities of Canada, stating, 'How are we going to be at war with Canada?' This comment, along with others, has drawn ire from Canadian officials and citizens alike, with former Alberta premier Jason Kenney questioning the appropriateness of such remarks during a time of heightened tensions.6
Despite the ongoing disputes, the majority of Canadian exports remain exempt from U.S. tariffs under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, highlighting the complexity of the trade relationship between the two nations.
“US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said 'It's more their emergency than ours' and claimed 'There are no negotiations happening on trade right now.' Meanwhile, the Liberals swept three special elections, including flipping a Conservative-held seat in Quebec, boosting Carney's parliamentary position.”
The Guardian
