Social media condemns Trump's hockey cartoon as Canada's counter

The Canada-U.S. trade war has entered a new chapter after Prime Minister Mark Carney's government imposed retaliatory tariffs on American goods, starting just after midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The dollar-for-dollar tariffs cover $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods, matching the value of tariffs President Donald Trump imposed on Canadian products after trade talks broke down in late August.

Both sides accused the other of making last-minute demands, ultimately prompting Carney's team to walk away from the negotiations.

Over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social, sharing a cartoon image of himself in American hockey gear, towering Carney with a hockey stick while yelling "get up governor" at the prime minister.

Trump has also called for Canadian airline company Bombardier to be shut out of the American market. It comes after repeated comments from the U.S. president that Canada has been "ripping off the United States" for years.

On Tuesday, Carney posted another video updating Canadians on the trade war.

"We have everything we need to pivot and prosper," said Carney. "That pivot will come at a cost. There's always a cost to action. But it doesn't come close to the cost of standing still."

In light of the retaliatory tariffs, Canadians and Americans have taken to social media to voice their thoughts. That starts with commentary on how each respective leader has responded publicly in the face of tariffs, with many condemning Trump's latest hockey photo.

A commentary account has also brought the original cartoon to life, creating an AI video that features Trump hitting Carney with a hockey stick. The video has since gone viral.

Others have also taken to social media to remind everyone about who in fact started the trade war in 2025.

Top of mind is also how this trade war could have ramifications in the U.S. midterms, which are to take place Nov. 3, 2026. As a result, some political pundits believe that a deal to stop the trade war won't come before then.

Trump's latest focus on Bombardier has also caused concern, considering the impact it would have on Americans who rely on the Canadian company for jobs.