Many Canadians are using the term “elbows up” when responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.
#ElbowsUpCanada has been trending on social media ever since Canadian comedian and actor Mike Myers appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) last weekend wearing a ‘Canada is not for sale’ T-shirt, pointing to his left elbow and mouthing “elbows up” to the camera.
The gesture is interpreted as a symbol of resistance in light of the tariff threats made by Trump, sending the message that Canadians should prepare to face a trade war.
“We 👀 you #MikeMyers and you did us proud #CanadaIsNotForSale #ElbowsUp,” a user said on X.
Ten years after his last appearance on the show, last weekend the comedian was part of a skit that mocked the tense meeting between Trump and Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Myers acted as Spacex CEO and Special Government Employee Elon Musk.
@nowtoronto Canadian comedian Mike Myers wears ‘Canada is not for sale’ shirt during his #SNL return, amid heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S. #MikeMyers #CanadaIsNotForSale ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
After Trump’s threats became a reality on Tuesday, bringing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 per cent on energy imports, “elbows up” has been used by Canadians across the country to support retaliation against the tariffs.
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“Now is the time for all Canadians to come to the defence of Canada.🇨🇦 #ElbowsUpCanada,” a user wrote on X.
After tariffs kicked in on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would be responding with retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent over $30 million worth of American goods, increasing to $125 billion in the next 21 days if nothing changes.
Some social media users have also been using the #ElbowsUpCanada to show support for Trudeau’s response and speech, in which he called Trump’s tariffs a “very dumb thing to do” and spoke directly to American people saying that “their government has chosen to do this” to them.
@nowtoronto PM Trudeau calls U.S. President Trump's decision to start a trade war "very dumb." #tradewar #Trudeau #Trump #cdnpoli ♬ original sound – Now Toronto
“Like him or not, Trudeau has been an exemplary leader as this mess with Trump has heated up. I’m proud to be Canadian and have a leader of honesty and integrity #ElbowsUpCanada,” a user wrote.
“#ElbowsUp 🇨🇦Trump wants to now, make a deal with Canada & possibly, not tariffing the auto industry. Canada is saying no deal. Take all tariffs off now. So proud of our government, not only Trudeau but all who have been working so hard for us 🇨🇦,” another user pitched in.
Some Canadians have also been using the #ElbowsUp to share their own acts of resistance, such as boycotting American products for Canadian-made alternatives.
“Today my second week of shopping #Canada made brands ONLY. A Proud Canadian 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 shopper now. #ElbowsUpCanada 💪 Want to thank all stores for hanging the #CanadaMapleLeaf 🍁 tags. Helps speed up my shopping in the aisle. 😃,” a user shared on X.
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THE ORIGIN OF ‘ELBOWS UP’
The term ‘elbows up’ is a reference to Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe or also known as Mr. Elbows.
Considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Howe played between 1946 and 1980 during 26 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and six in the World Hockey Association (WHA), and is now known as Mr. Hockey.
One of his strategies consisted of using his elbows like a weapon to fight for the puck.
“If a guy slashed me, I’d grab his stick, pull him up alongside me and elbow him in the head,” Howe said once.
The Saskatchewan-born player soon became known as Mr. Elbows, and the phrase “elbows up” has been used to refer to his famous technique.
Today, a statue of Howe at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon showcases him with his elbow upwards, featuring Mr. Elbows’ frequent move.
