Canada's Carney slaps Trump admin for 'doing memes ... throwing shade'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday blasted the Trump administration for "doing memes" and "throwing shade" against his nation amid a growing trade war.

Carney's comments came in response to a reporter's question about Trump officials mocking Canada's military in social media posts and comments, and President Donald Trump renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America."

The prime minister said there is a "positive opportunity that has always existed with the United States for a mutually beneficial trade deal that respects Canadian sovereignty" and which respects Canada's right to protect and promote Quebec's culture and the French language.

"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" about trade, Carney said.

"But look, it's not constructive, but that's their democracy."

Carney also said, "It's beneath their office," when asked about Trump Cabinet secretaries insulting the Canadian military.

The prime minister's comments came a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mocked Canada and its military during an interview with CNBC at the meeting of G20 finance ministers in Asheville, North Carolina.

Asked during that interview about markets wondering if the United States is in a "tit-for-tat trade war with Canada," Bessent replied, "Well, I don't think you can be in a tit-for-tat with someone who's 13 times larger than you are."

"I think this is very unfortunate that Prime Minister Carney has turned this into ... a political shouting match," Bessent said.

"I mean, we're not at war with Canada. How are we going to be at war with Canada?" the Treasury secretary asked. "They're going to take their two set submarines from the Edmonton Mall and sic them on us.

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