Key facts
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged U.S. officials to stop using insults and memes in their dealings with Canada.
- Carney stated that such behavior is "beneath their office" and called for seriousness in discussions.
- The comments come amid escalating trade tensions and retaliatory tariffs between the U.S. and Canada.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made light of the idea of a war with Canada.
- U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer downplayed the impact of the trade dispute on the U.S.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called on U.S. officials to cease their use of insults and memes in escalating trade tensions between the two countries, urging them to "start being serious."
Carney's remarks on Tuesday came after days of critical comments and online memes directed at Canada from various U.S. government officials, following the breakdown of bilateral trade negotiations and the imposition of new tariffs. He stated that such behavior was "beneath their office."
Among the recent provocations, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly laughed off the idea of a war with Canada. Separately, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America, a move rejected by Canadians.
U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer had previously downplayed the potential impact of the trade dispute on the United States, suggesting that Canada was more vulnerable. The U.S. levied 50% tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian goods, prompting Canada to announce retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion of American goods set to begin on September 8.
Greer suggested that trade talks collapsed due to Canadian officials' requests, including lighter taxes on heavy-duty trucks, which he deemed unacceptable. Canadian officials, however, cited disagreements within the White House and perceived issues with negotiations regarding the French language in Quebec as reasons for the talks' failure.