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Canadians Want To Ban Pornhub In The U.S.
In the latest twist of the U.S.-Canada trade war, Canadians are targeting American screen time—one adult video at a time.
Forget steel. Forget maple syrup. Canada’s new weapon in the trade war with the U.S.? Porn. Amid rising tensions between the two countries, a group of Canadian citizens is calling for a ban on Pornhub for American users. The idea? Hit the U.S. where it really hurts—its internet history.
Launched on March 7, a new petition is picking up steam online. It urges the Canadian government to block access to Pornhub from the U.S. as a form of peaceful protest over new trade tariffs. The adult platform, based in Montreal, draws nearly 40% of its traffic from American viewers. The petition’s language is serious—even if the idea sounds straight from a late-night comedy show.
“We ask the Canadian Parliament to take this action as a peaceful yet powerful response in this dispute. Many people’s livelihoods depend on the resolution of this conflict. By signing this petition, you are not only advocating for fair trade practices but also drawing attention to the power dynamics in the digital age. It’s time to raise our voices for change. Please sign this petition.”
The Porn Power Play
Let’s get something straight: Pornhub is one of the biggest players in the global adult entertainment industry—and it’s proudly Canadian. Owned by Montreal-based Aylo, Pornhub is a major force in the online porn world, hosting millions of videos, creators, and users worldwide. And the U.S.? That’s its biggest market by far.
According to Pornhub’s 2024 Year in Review, American users spent an average of 10 minutes and 37 seconds per visit. Now, amid ongoing disputes over tariffs and trade policies, Canadians are proposing a digital curveball. Instead of counter-tariffs or aggressive policies, this group wants Ottawa to shut down Pornhub access across the U.S.Adding to the buzz? A viral Instagram reel. On March 6, Canadian comedian Matthew Puzhitsky posted a Reel on Narcity Canada where fake politicians brainstorm how to win the trade war—by banning Pornhub in the U.S. The video was quickly picked up by The New York Post and The Daily Mail, helping turn a punchline into a trending petition. From satire to strategy—the idea may be silly, but it’s definitely being taken seriously.
Will It Work?
While the Canadian government hasn’t responded to the petition, it’s already sparking global debate. The reality is, blocking Pornhub in the U.S. would affect millions of users—and add fuel to an already tense trade situation. But there’s a twist: Pornhub is already blocked in 17 U.S. states.
Thanks to strict age verification laws, access to the site has been shut down in places like Utah, Mississippi, and Virginia. These laws require users to submit ID before viewing adult content—something Pornhub has pushed back on, citing privacy and identity theft concerns. Still, the proposed Canada-wide block would take things to a new level. It’s less about age and more about strategy—using pleasure as pressure.
Supporters of the petition argue that digital tools can be just as effective as traditional sanctions. Even if this idea never becomes law, it shows how far people are willing to go to make a point. As of March 18, the petition had around 650 signatures. That’s a long way from triggering government action—but enough to get the internet talking. Reddit comments range from sarcastic to seriously supportive.
How patriotic is Pornhub? Wrote one user.
Another wrote, “When you control the porn, you control the world.”
Another added, “OnlyFans goes public within the hour with a trillion-dollar market cap.”
Digital Weapons in a Modern War
Using porn as a trade war weapon might sound crazy—but in 2025, it’s starting to make sense. In today’s world, porn is power. Sites like Pornhub get billions of views, and cutting off U.S. users could send a message, even if most fans would just switch on a VPN and keep watching.
That’s already the case in places like China, where OnlyFans is banned but is still accessed daily. In Australia, strict codes threaten to block adult sites completely. The UK is forcing ID checks just to watch porn. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Project 2025 wants to crack down on the entire adult industry. But let’s be honest—porn fans always find a way. Tech beats bans, and VPNs are just the beginning. You can block a site, but it’s not a habit. So whether it’s Canada cutting off access or the U.S. cracking down from within, adult content is now right in the middle of global politics.
Economists say the move would be symbolic, not economic. But it sends a bold message about how deeply digital platforms are now tied to global power struggles. As petition creator Marc Olimpo explained to Daily Hive,
“This petition urges the Canadian Federal government to enact legislation restricting Pornhub’s services, primarily adult content streaming, from being accessed within the United States. This potential ban could send a strong message and provoke introspection of the current tariff measures in place.”
Final Blow or Just for Show?
Will Canada really pull the plug on Pornhub for U.S. users? Probably not. But the message behind the petition is loud and clear: Canadians are tired of playing defense in this trade war.
From age verification battles to international sanctions, Pornhub has been through a lot in recent years. This latest twist? Just another day in the life of the world’s most controversial website. If America won’t ease up on the tariffs, some Canadians are ready to cut off the pleasure.
