US embassy accuses Canada of meddling in the midterms; Carney and Ford deny it

The US embassy in Ottawa has accused Canadian officials of trying to interfere in the US midterm elections in November, in a fact sheet released on Wednesday, the BBC reported. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected the claim.

What the US says

The embassy says Canada "brushes off concerns about potential interference in U.S. elections, even as its ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics in official documents and public appearances." It cites:

• Industry Minister Melanie Joly, who, asked what she expected on tariffs if Democrats won the midterms, said: "That's exactly why I'm meeting so many governors and potential presidential candidates."
• Doug Ford, who it says pushed Ottawa to consider retaliatory tariffs aimed at imports from states "politically significant" to President Trump's base.
• Meetings between Canadian officials and US Democrats.

Earlier this month US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned that Washington was "closely watching" Canadian politicians for signs of interference. A petition calling for his removal has passed 280,000 signatures.

Canada's answer

Carney said it was the US that started the trade fight, and that Canada's response was "to protect Canadian jobs, to protect Canadian companies." He spoke while announcing a C$9 billion (about US$6.2 billion, or roughly Rs 1.7 trillion) aid package for businesses hit by US tariffs.

Ford said he has "no interest at all" in interfering: "The people of the United States will make that determination in the midterms." Joly told CBC last week that her US trips were to attract investment.

Why it matters

The midterms decide control of both houses of Congress and so how much of Trump's agenda survives his last two years. The row is the latest strain between neighbours whose trade once crossed the border almost freely. It also comes days after Trump administration officials were accused of inappropriate comments about Alberta's separation referendum.

For Pakistani families in Canada, many with relatives and business links across the border, a deeper trade war means higher prices and slower cross-border business. Convert dollar amounts with our currency converter.