Embassy Cites Canadian Actions as Trump Backs Foreign Candidates
U.S. officials list four Canadian instances ahead of the Nov. 3 vote, while President Trump has endorsed candidates abroad since early 2025.
By Petra Murphy ·
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet Wednesday identifying four Canadian actions that could amount to potential interference in U.S. elections, even as President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in foreign contests since returning to the White House in early 2025. Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian officials have disputed the accusations.
The embassy's list includes Liberal MP Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Florida Democrat in a primary earlier this year, comments from Industry Minister Mélanie Joly regarding Canada's counter-tariff strategy dating to March 2025, an Ontario government Ronald Reagan advertisement that ran in the U.S. last year, and a federal government billboard campaign from early 2025.
Trump has backed presidential or prime ministerial candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia and Japan since early 2025. He voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday's election and backed former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban's re-election bid, which included a rally appearance in Budapest by Vice-President JD Vance. Trump also commented on Argentina's midterms last year, suggesting a financial support package could hinge on President Javier Milei's party.
Carney said Friday in Istanbul, "There is no merit to these claims, so I'll call it out that way." He added that he was disappointed Ambassador Pete Hoekstra "sees that as his role, to make these suggestions." The embassy declined to comment when asked whether a Canadian official endorsing a midterm candidate would constitute potential interference.
Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, said the situation resembles the "pot calling the kettle black" given Trump's record. "The truth is that this administration has had a long track record of intervening directly into the elections of official allies," he told CBC News. Former U.S. ambassador to Canada James Blanchard said the administration has "no credibility" on the matter. "If this accusation had come from the Reagan administration or the Bush administration or the Obama administration, the Clinton administration, I would take it seriously," Blanchard said. "But I can't from this current administration."
The trade dispute has reached Republican candidates in border states. Sen. Susan Collins said Friday that she secured exemptions to tariffs on Canadian goods and would continue seeking relief. Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers released an ad this month saying, "Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now."
Carney was asked Friday whether the administration might blame Canada for weak midterm results and impose further tariffs. He said he does not "see that coming to pass."
