BBC Homepage
  • Skip to content
  • Accessibility Help
  • Your account
  • Notifications
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • More menu
More menu
Search BBC
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
Close menu
BBC News
Menu
  • Home
  • InDepth
  • Israel-Gaza war
  • War in Ukraine
  • Climate
  • UK
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Culture
More
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Family & Education
  • In Pictures
  • Newsbeat
  • BBC Verify
  • Disability
  • BBC Trending

Ukraine and Google playing Justin Trudeau's 'sock game'

  • Published
    3 November 2017
Share page
About sharing
Volodymyr Groysman and Justin Trudeau shake handsImage source, Reuters
Image caption,

Prime Ministers Volodymyr Groysman and Justin Trudeau met in Ottawa

Sherie Ryder
BBC UGC and Social News

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is well known for his style, and his colourful - sometimes themed - socks.

When Ukraine's trade representative, Nataliya Mykolska, visited Mr Trudeau she took the opportunity to contribute to his collection of - what broadcasting platform Ukrinform, external has called - "unusual socks".

Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade tweeted, external a photo of her special delivery from Ukraine's PM Volodymyr Groysman, intended for Mr Trudeau as part of a promotion of trade relations between the two countries.

This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post by Nataliya Mykolska

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post by Nataliya Mykolska

Commentators appeared to be split on whether it is an appropriate present for a head of government.

As photos circulated of the two leaders, a Facebook post, external by Ukrainian news website Hromadske.ua, external spurred a mixed response about Mr Trudeau's footwear.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian PM Volodymyr GroysmanImage source, kmu.gov.ua
Image caption,

The two prime ministers held talks in Ottawa

Kateryna Krotkova, who spotted a familiar brand, was happy she "has something in common with Justin now".

"Did they just give sweat socks to the prime minister? Wow, cool," said Sergiy Petrakov with some sarcasm.

You may also like:

  • Houston Astros' World Series win after Hurricane Harvey: Online reaction

  • George Papadopoulos mistaken for George Papadopoulos

  • Socialism, capitalism and Trump Jr's Halloween candy

This is not the first time Mr Trudeau's socks have been in the spotlight. At the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Mr Trudeau's socks did not go unnoticed in his Instagram post, external in July.

PM Justin Trudeau talks to the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm TurnbullImage source, Justin Trudeau
Image caption,

Justin Trudeau's picture was liked by more than 40,000 people

Sometimes, leaders who meet Mr Trudeau reciprocate. Irish Taiseach Leo Varadkar engaged in some "sock diplomacy" in his first meeting with his counterpart in Dublin in July.

Canadian patterned socks worn by Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, during a visit by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Farmleigh House in Dublin, 4 July 2017Image source, PA
Image caption,

The Irish Taoiseach wore Canadian-themed socks to welcome Mr Trudeau

On Thursday, at an event to promote US-Canada relations 'GoNorth17' Google's former CEO Eric Schmidt, now Executive Chairman of Google parent company Alphabet, acknowledged Mr Trudeau's socks as "always outlandish" and wore Canadian socks, which prompted them to compare, external at around 5:30 into their discussion.

"Everyone says to compare socks," Mr Trudeau told the audience. "It never bothers me when people have better socks than I do, because they're playing my sock game."

This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 2 by New York Times World

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 2 by New York Times World

Mr Trudeau has definitely got into the spirit of things for special occasions, showing off his Star Wars socks on 4 May - for #MayTheFourthBeWithYou:

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau wears Star Wars-themed socks as he meets with his Irish counterpart, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, during a visit to Montreal, 4 May 2017Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

Mr Trudeau celebrated 'Star Wars Day' during his meeting with former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Of course, there were his rainbow socks at Toronto Pride:

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau compares socks with Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault during a pride flag raising ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, 25 June 2017Image source, Reuters
Image caption,

The Canadian PM also wore Eid and Pride-themed socks at the Toronto Pride Parade

And another Star Wars pair - Chewbacca this time - for a business forum in New York:

Justin Trudeau's Chewbacca socksImage source, PA

If you can't get enough of Mr Trudeau's socks, there is even a dedicated Facebook page, external.

More on this story

  • Canada country profile

    • Published
      8 January
    Map of Canada
  • Indigenous women inquiry faces delays

    • Published
      1 November 2017
    Joe and Thelma Favel display a framed painting of their niece, Tina Fontaine, who was murdered and her body dumped in the Red River
  • Prince Harry meets lookalike in Canada

    • Published
      25 September 2017
    Prince Harry (R) and photgrapher Adam Scotti (L)

Around the BBC

  • Gord Downie- Trudeau pays tribute to Tragically Hip star - BBC News

Top stories

  • Live. 

    Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

    • 2598 viewing2.6k viewing
  • Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan to occupy Gaza

    • Published
      6 hours ago
  • Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent hike claims

    • Published
      5 hours ago

More to explore

  • Big Mags: The paedophile-hunting granny who built a heroin empire

    Mags Haney outside her home in the Raploch talking to two police officers. The photo from the mid 1990s shows Haney with short bleached blond hair and big earrings. She is wearing a pink cardigan and and orange t-shirt. A number of locals are standing around watching the scene
  • 'Minister for hypocrisy' and 'Pill for weight loss on NHS'

    The Daily Mail has the headline "Minister for hypocrisy is forced to quit", and the Daily Express says "Pill for weight loss on NHS".
  • Weekly quiz: Which baby names took top spot?

    A baby sucks its fingers as it lies on a pink blanket. It is wrapped in a pale, floral towel, as if it has just had a bath.
  • Faisal Islam: Why has the Bank of England cut rates?

    Andrew Bailey, Bank of England governor, looks straight at the camera. he's wearing glasses and a dark suit.
  • Why Trump-Putin talks unlikely to bring rapid end to Ukraine war

    A composite image of Donald Trump on the left and Vladimir Putin on the right. Both men are wearing suits.
  • The secret system Hamas uses to pay government salaries

    Armed members of Hamas stand in camouflage uniforms in front of a white car. Their faces are covered by balaclavas.
  • My 30-year-old world record 'not a good sign for athletics' - Edwards

    • Attribution
      Sport
    Jonathan Edwards celebrates after setting the triple jump world record in 1995
  • On Ukraine's front line, twisted wreckage shows sanctions haven't yet stopped Russia

    Dymtro Chubenko stands in front of a pile of Russian missile and drone parts
  • Summer Essential: Your family’s guide to the summer, delivered to your inbox every Tuesday

    concentric circles ranging from orange to yellow to represent the sun, with a blue sky background
loading elsewhere stories

Most read

  1. 1

    'Minister for hypocrisy' and 'Pill for weight loss on NHS'

  2. 2

    Mushroom murderer's alleged attempts to kill husband revealed

  3. 3

    A walk-in fishermen's clinic saved me from sepsis - and could transform the NHS

  4. 4

    Britons booking 'later, closer, shorter' UK breaks

  5. 5

    Waterstones apologises after readers brand event 'utter chaos'

  6. 6

    Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent hike claims

  7. 7

    US offers $50m reward for arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

  8. 8

    Big Mags: The paedophile-hunting granny who built a heroin empire

  9. 9

    Southern European butterfly spotted in UK for first time

  10. 10

    Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan to occupy Gaza

BBC News Services

  • On your mobile
  • On smart speakers
  • Get news alerts
  • Contact BBC News

Destination X

  • Your latest reality TV obsession has landed on iPlayer

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Rob Brydon welcomes you to Destination X

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Get on board and play along at home

    • Attribution
      Game
    Destination X Game
  • Where the X are they off to next?

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • Terms of Use
  • About the BBC
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility Help
  • Parental Guidance
  • Contact the BBC
  • Make an editorial complaint
  • BBC emails for you

Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.