Carney tells U.S. to stop ‘doing memes’ and ‘throwing shade’ as war of words escalates

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to journalists outside his office in Ottawa on Sept. 1, 2026. Photo by Blair Gable /Postmedia

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OTTAWA — The conflict between the Canadian and U.S. government has evolved from a trade war into a war of words.

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After days of strident comments and insults towards Canada from multiple U.S. government officials, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Americans should “stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough, and start being serious.”

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The prime minister was reacting Tuesday to various insults and online memes lobbed at Canada from Trump government officials as the dust settles on the failed bilateral negotiations and renewed trade war between both countries.

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For example, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Monday laughed off a suggestion that Canada and the U.S. were at war while jokingly questioning if Canada would attack the U.S. with its fleet of defunct submarines that were once part of a West Edmonton Mall tourist attraction.

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“We’re not at war with Canada. How are we going to be at war with Canada? What, are they going to take their two submarines from the Edmonton mall and sic them on us?”

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Then on Monday evening, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a picture of two women from the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, B.C., with a demeaning comment about their appearance in an effort to belittle the Canadian Armed Forces.

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Carney took particular offence to that post on Tuesday morning.

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“It’s beneath their office,” Carney grumbled to reporters in Ottawa Tuesday.

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More generally, Carney said the jokes, memes and “shade” thrown by U.S. officials towards Canada are “not constructive” and are not helping mend the ailing trade relationship after a series of tit-for-tat tariffs announced in recent weeks.

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“But that’s their democracy,” Carney shrugged.

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The prime minister spoke to reporters within hours of the Liberals sweeping three byelections in ridings in B.C., Ontario and Quebec, scoring over 50 per cent of the vote in each. Two of the ridings were already held by the Liberals, whereas the Quebec riding was won over from Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.

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Carney celebrated his candidates’ handy wins, though he was far more evasive when asked if he would lead this party into the next election.

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“I’m pleased to have a remarkable caucus. You know, I my view my role, as my colleagues do, to do our job… and we’re going to stand up for Canada, we’re going to build this country, we’re going to help unite this country and we’re going to stand up for Canada,” he said.

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“I’m going to focus on that, that’s my concern,” he added without ever confirming that he would stay on as Liberal leader next election.

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National Post

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