'Below the dignity of the office': Canadian officials condemn Pete Hegseth cadet post

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire in Canada for a social media post that appears to mock members of the country's cadet youth programme.

Hegseth posted the image, taken from the social media account for a local training branch, showing a young cadet receiving an award from her instructor.

He added a Canadian flag emoji and the caption "this is real" - an apparent attempt at disparaging Canada's military by making fun of the pair's appearance.

Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty said on Tuesday that Hegseth's post was "below the dignity of the office".

The US and Canada are in the middle of a trade dispute that has often descended into a war of words, and the Trump administration has long accused their northern neighbour of relying on American military might for its defence.

Asked about the post and other recent jibes from Trump administration officials, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that any trade discussions would only begin again "when the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions".

The Pentagon has said the post by Hegseth "speaks for itself".

The national cadet programme is overseen by the military and offers leadership and skills training to youth aged 12 to 18.