U.S. Treasury chief mocks Canada as bilateral tariffs spark heated exchange
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ridiculed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade stance, joking about Canada’s submarines while the two nations impose steep reciprocal tariffs.
At a G20 finance ministers gathering in Asheville, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent used one outlet's segment to mock Prime Minister Mark Carney, quipping that Canada could point its two submarines from the Edmonton Mall toward the United States. His remarks followed the United States’ imposition of a 50% tariff on an estimated $28 billion of Canadian goods, including beer, cheese and electronics, on top of existing duties on aluminum, lumber, vehicles and steel.
In retaliation, Canada announced dollar-for-dollar tariffs set to begin on Sept. 8, with Carney describing the U.S. action as an “attack” and pledging resilience. President Donald Trump escalated the feud by issuing an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” a move Carney dismissed, insisting the lake’s name remains unchanged. The exchange highlights a deepening trade conflict between the neighboring countries.
Why it matters
The escalating tariff war threatens North American supply chains and raises consumer prices on both sides of the border.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps report the Treasury secretary’s submarine joke and the tariff dispute, but right-leaning coverage adds Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario, which the centrist accounts omit.
CENTER
Centrist coverage stresses Bessent’s claim that the U.S. is “not at war” with Canada and blames Prime Minister Carney for fueling a political shouting match.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage highlights the mock remark within the broader tariff feud and underscores Trump’s escalation by renaming Lake Ontario.
The right emphasises
- 50% tariff on $28 billion of Canadian goods
- Carney calling the U.S. action an “attack”
- Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America”
How this story developed
- Aug 15 Trump aides say president reluctant to campaign for down-ballot Republicans
- Aug 26 President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent Dan S. Sullivan and called the challenger’s bid a trick.
- Aug 26 Retailers have begun removing U.S. wines and spirits from shelves as part of the boycott campaign.
- Aug 27 GOP senators publicly asked Trump to focus criticism on Democratic opponents instead of fellow Republicans.
- Aug 27 The United States began reviewing possible bans on Canadian imports under Section 338.
- Aug 27 Republican congressional candidates began removing overt Trump branding from their online outreach after winning primaries.
- Aug 28 Canada announced that its retaliatory duties will take effect on September 8.
- Aug 28 Campaign ads tied to a Democratic‑linked nonprofit featured the second Dan Sullivan, prompting accusations of a decoy tactic.
- Aug 29 Canada set a 25% levy on certain American vehicles and matched the U.S. 50% level on steel and aluminium, also targeting plywood, screws and other timber items.
- Aug 29 AIPAC’s United Democracy Project contributed $54 million to congressional races, bringing total pro‑Israel donor spending to $71 million.
- Aug 30 Donald Trump posted an AI-generated clip showing himself swapping a Lake Ontario sign for a "Lake America" banner, while tensions over his tariffs on Canada continue.
- Aug 31 Trump urged Canadian firms to relocate to the United States and labeled Canadian leadership the worst he has encountered.
- Aug 31 Trump warned the duty on Canadian automobiles will rise to 50% on Jan. 1 and offered tariff relief to firms that relocate to the United States.
- Aug 31 Mark Carney described the dispute as an attack and said Canada must respond as if at war.
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