Video: Canada's Mark Carney pokes fun at Trump's hand gestures amid trade feud

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney took a playful swipe at US President Donald Trump by mimicking his trademark "accordion hands" gesture during a speech in Ottawa, prompting laughter, cheers and applause from the audience. Carney's viral moment came as a bitter trade feud between Canada and the US continues to strain ties.Speaking about a C$70 billion clean-energy package, Carney said the investment was the "functional equivalent of 18 Hoover Dams". He then exaggeratedly moved his hands in and out in a gesture resembling Trump's much-mocked hand movements during speeches."18 Hoover Dams," the 61-year-old repeated as the audience laughed while mocking Trump's hand gestures.Carney smiled and told the audience "enough", but then repeated the gesture, moving his hands again while mimicking Trump's mannerisms. The crowd responded with more laughter, whoops and applause before Carney regained his composure and continued his speech. The playful moment came as Carney pushed for deeper ties between Canada and the European Union, particularly in areas such as energy, defence, critical minerals and technology. It also came amid strained relations between Ottawa and Washington over trade.Trump, 80, is known for his pronounced hand movements while speaking, with his repeated motion of moving both hands in and out becoming widely dubbed the 'accordion hands' gesture online. The gesture has frequently been imitated and parodied, including by political figures and comedians. Trade talks collapsed in August after negotiators failed to reach a deal, with Carney saying Washington had "asked too much and they offered too little". He also accused the US of seeking to restrict Canada's ability to pursue trade agreements with other countries.The US subsequently imposed 50 per cent tariffs on about US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada responded with retaliatory "dollar to dollar" tariffs ranging from 15 to 50 per cent on a similar value of US imports, covering products including steel, appliances, agricultural equipment, dairy and electronics. The Canadian tariffs came into effect from September 8.Carney has since sought to diversify Canada's economic and strategic partnerships, including by strengthening ties with Europe. Trump has criticised the closer Canada-EU relationship and warned that treating Canada as an associate member of the EU could be viewed as a hostile act.Canada and the EU have also begun discussions on a closer strategic partnership, including a proposal for Canada to become the bloc's first associate member.NOT THE FIRST TIME CARNEY MOCKED TRUMPThis is not the first time Carney has publicly imitated Trump. In June, while recalling a visit to the White House, Carney mimicked Trump's speech and hand gestures while recounting how the US President presented him with a golden key to the White House.Carney recalled Trump telling him, "Mark, I want to give you something really special." He then said Trump told him, "You just bring it. They'll let you in," before adding, "Maybe they'll shoot you."The audience laughed, and Carney later said the exchange "sort of sums up the relationship that we have."- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 10:57 IST