Key facts
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged U.S. officials to cease using insults and memes in trade disputes.
- Carney stated that such behavior was 'beneath their office' and called for seriousness.
- The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion in Canadian goods.
- Canada plans retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods starting September 8.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly laughed off the idea of war with Canada.
- President Donald Trump signed an order to rename Lake Ontario.
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 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.