Insults by US officials towards Canada are "not productive" to ending a bitter trade war between the historically friendly neighbours, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday.

Two members of US President Donald Trump's cabinet made disparaging remarks on Monday related to the military of Nato ally Canada.

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth posted a message on X that appears to mock the physical appearance of an overweight Canadian soldier presenting a medal at a youth camp.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent meanwhile joked about Canada's military might when asked in a televised interview about the broiling trade dispute.

Canada has vowed to invoke retaliatory tariffs against Trump's 50-percent duties that came into force after talks between the two sides broke down last month.

"I don't think you can be in a tit-for-tat with someone who's 13 times larger than you are," Bessent told CNBC.

"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?"

He was referring to a former attraction at a shopping centre in Alberta province.

The remarks are "beneath their office," Carney told reporters on Tuesday, adding "it's not constructive, but that's their democracy."

"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," he said.

While the trade war threatens disproportionate economic pain for Canadians, polling has shown broad support for Carney's aggressive stance against the US pressure.

That support was underlined by Carney's Liberal Party sweeping three parliamentary by-elections on Monday.

"The message from Canadians I think is clear," Carney said on Tuesday. "They've given their support... to the government's plan." (AFP)



Edited by Robert Kemp