The ongoing US-Canada trade war has taken a completely unexpected turn—into the world of adult entertainment.
What started as a joke by Canadian comedian Matthew Puzhitsky on social media has sparked a nationwide debate.
Puzhitsky suggested that Canada should retaliate against US tariffs by blocking American users from accessing Pornhub.
While initially meant as satire, the idea quickly gained traction, with hundreds signing a petition urging the government to use this "X-rated weapon" as a means of countering economic sanctions.
In his viral video, Puzhitsky declared, "Shutting down Pornhub for Americans will end the trade war instantly!" He later reinforced his point in an interview, calling Pornhub Canada’s "ultimate weapon.
" The debate has since escalated, reaching the attention of political circles, though the Canadian government has yet to comment on whether such a move is even being considered.
Pornhub, one of the world's largest adult websites, is owned by Aylo, a Montreal-based company.
According to a 2024 industry report, the United States is Pornhub’s biggest source of traffic, accounting for over three million visits per month.
If Canada were to block access for American users, it would not only affect a massive audience but could also escalate diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
The reaction from American users has been intense.
Social media is flooded with responses ranging from outrage to despair.
One user from New York joked, "If I can’t access Pornhub, I might as well move to Canada!" Others have called it "a human rights violation disguised as trade retaliation.
" Some news outlets have even compared this to a modern-day Prohibition for the digital age.
This latest twist in the trade war highlights the growing intersection between digital infrastructure and global politics.
What started as an economic dispute now has real implications for everyday life, proving that globalized economies are more interconnected than ever before.
Experts suggest that if Canada were to seriously consider such a measure, the US government would likely retaliate swiftly, turning an unusual trade spat into a full-scale diplomatic crisis.
More broadly, this incident raises the question of how digital policies are becoming powerful tools in international conflicts.
As online platforms play an increasingly central role in daily life, governments may begin using them as leverage in ways previously unimaginable.
Policymakers may need to tread carefully to avoid triggering unexpected global disputes.