Canadian Prime Minister Slams US Defense Secretary's Cadet Post and Trade Demands

Prime Minister Mark Carney sharply criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s online post featuring a Canadian cadet, labeling it beneath the dignity of his office. The image, interpreted as body-shaming, was defended by Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Jacob Bliss, who said the X post “speaks for itself.” Earlier, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asserted that Canada “doesn’t have a military,” a claim Carney refuted by citing the Canadian Armed Forces’ 70,000 regulars and 30,000 reserves.

Carney also condemned the Trump administration’s “nonsensical” meme-posting and warned that U.S. trade demands, including threats to French language and culture, endanger Canadian sovereignty. After trade talks collapsed on Aug. 21, he announced a pivot toward markets such as China. The tension heightened when Trump signed an order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” highlighting the strained bilateral relationship.