US Embassy accuses Canada of meddling in midterms

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet on Wednesday listing specific actions by Canadian officials that it says could amount to interference in the upcoming U.S. midterms. The document cites several events, including Liberal MP Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Florida Democrat during a primary earlier this year. It also references comments made by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly regarding Canada's counter-tariff strategy. Some of these remarks date back to March 2025, when Joly served as foreign affairs minister. The embassy list further includes an Ontario government advertisement featuring former president Ronald Reagan and a federal billboard campaign from early 2025.

Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the accusations on Friday during a news conference in Istanbul. He stated that the claims lack merit and expressed disappointment in U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Carney said he was surprised by the envoy's role in making such suggestions. He also dismissed the idea that the administration would blame Canada for poor midterm results and impose new tariffs. The prime minister said he did not expect that scenario to unfold.

Critics point to the Trump administration's own history of foreign electoral support. Since returning to the White House in early 2025, President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. He recently voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of an election scheduled for Tuesday. Trump also backed former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a failed re-election bid. That campaign included a rally appearance by Vice President JD Vance in Budapest. The president also suggested that financial support for Argentina would depend on the election results for President Javier Milei's party.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, described the situation as the pot calling the kettle black. He noted that the administration has a long track record of intervening in the elections of allies. Drezner said it is unusual for heads of state to weigh in on foreign elections. He argued that the norm is to do business with whichever side wins without overtly campaigning for one party.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard told Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday that the current administration lacks credibility on this issue. He said he would take the accusation seriously if it came from the Reagan, Bush, Obama, or Clinton administrations. However, he said he cannot take it seriously from the current team. The U.S. Embassy declined to comment on whether a similar endorsement by a Canadian official would constitute interference.

The trade dispute has created pressure for Republican candidates in border states. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she secured exemptions to tariffs on Friday. She said she would continue working with administration officials to seek additional relief. In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers released a video ad earlier this month. He said the state needs to end the tariff war with Canada.

The embassy's fact sheet followed warnings from Ambassador Hoekstra and Trump adviser Peter Navarro. The release comes as U.S. officials continue to monitor Canadian political activities. The next major electoral event in the U.S. is scheduled for November 3.