Canadian Prime Minister Carney Demands US Stop Memes for Trade Talks

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that trade negotiations with the United States can resume when the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions.

Carney made these comments on Monday, addressing reporters in Ottawa about U.S.-Canadian trade negotiations over automobile tariffs. He described the U.S. posture as not constructive but acknowledged it as their democracy. Carney also criticized U.S. Cabinet secretaries for mocking the Canadian military in social media posts, calling it beneath their office. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had written that Canada could not go tit-for-tat with America's economy, and War Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a photo of two female Canadian military members with the caption this is real.

President Donald Trump reposted an AI-generated video on Truth Social where he is seen kicking over a "Welcome to Lake Ontario" sign and replacing it with one reading "Welcome to Lake America." Trump had signed an executive order changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America after Canada suspended trade talks on August 21.

Carney cited issues with language and culture, restrictions on future trade deals, and terms that could lock key industries into uncompetitive arrangements as reasons for not having a deal. He pushed back against suggestions that Ontario Premier Doug Ford was responsible for the collapse of trade talks, stating that the decision ultimately rested with him and his cabinet.

Carney emphasized that a positive opportunity for a mutually beneficial trade deal that respects Canadian sovereignty still exists. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded that Carney had turned the trade discussions into a political shouting match, adding, they’re not at war with Canada.