Mark Carney says US insults not productive in trade war

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that insults by US officials toward Canada were “not productive” to ending a trade war between the neighbouring countries.

Carney was responding after two members of US President Donald Trump's cabinet made disparaging remarks related to Canada's military. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth posted a message on X about a Canadian soldier presenting a medal at a youth camp. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joked about Canada's military strength when asked on CNBC about the trade dispute.

“I don't think you can be in a tit-for-tat with someone who's 13 times larger than you are,” Bessent said. “I mean, 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?”

Carney told reporters the remarks were “beneath their office” and “not constructive”. He added: “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shades, stop trying to be tough, and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions.”

Canada has vowed retaliatory tariffs against Trump's 50-percent duties, which took effect after talks broke down last month. Carney said Canadians had supported his government's approach, pointing to his Liberal Party's sweep of three parliamentary by-elections on Monday.