Not for sale’: Canadian hats soar as Trump fuels controversy

Liam Mooney’s "Canada is Not for Sale" hats go viral after Trump’s tariff threats ignite nationalist sentiment.

Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats and remarks about Canada have sparked a viral phenomenon, thanks to an Ottawa-based entrepreneur. 

Liam Mooney, founder of design firm Jackpine, created the “Canada is Not for Sale” hat as a direct response to Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

The hats gained widespread attention after Ontario Premier Doug Ford wore one during a high-profile meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial leaders in Ottawa. The meeting focused on Trump’s tariff plans, which threaten to cripple Canada’s economy and raise oil and goods prices in the U.S.

According to Mooney, the hats symbolize unity and nationalism, transcending political divides. “It’s an opportunity to bring people together across civil society, regardless of political persuasion,” he told Reuters.

The hats became an instant hit, with tens of thousands sold online since Ford’s public endorsement. Mooney credits a Fox News interview where Ford dismissed the idea of U.S. annexation, declaring, “Canada is not for sale,” as inspiration for the product.

The controversy unfolds amid political turmoil in Canada, with Prime Minister Trudeau set to resign in March after nearly a decade in office, and Conservatives leading polls ahead of a federal election.

Trump, addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, doubled down on his demands for respect from Canada, even referring to Trudeau as “Governor.”

“Our sovereignty is threatened when our dignity is disrespected,” Mooney said, adding that Canada’s allies worldwide stand ready to support its independence.

The hats, now a viral sensation, reflect Canadians’ defiant stance against external pressure.