U.S. President’s Comments Add Fuel to Heated Campaign as Leaders Clash Over Canada-U.S. Relations

By NetNewsLedger Political News

OTTAWA – U.S. President Donald Trump has unexpectedly inserted himself into Canada’s upcoming federal election, suggesting he would rather see Prime Minister Mark Carney re-elected than Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. While Trump stopped short of a formal endorsement, his comments on Fox News have added a new layer of controversy to an already volatile race.

Trump’s Take on Canada’s Election

During an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump dismissed Poilievre, calling him “no friend of mine” and suggesting that a Liberal government would be easier to work with.

“The Conservative that’s running is stupidly no friend of mine. I don’t know him, but he said negative things. So when he says negative things, I couldn’t care less,” Trump told Ingraham.

Trump then indicated that he viewed a Carney-led Liberal government as preferable:

“I think it’s easier to deal, actually, with a Liberal, and maybe they’re going to win, but I don’t really care. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

The remarks come amid rising tensions over U.S.-Canada trade relations and Trump’s recent revival of his claim that Canada should be America’s “51st state.” The former and potentially future U.S. president accused Canada of failing to uphold trade agreements under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and not paying its fair share for defense.

How the Parties Are Reacting

Carney’s camp has downplayed Trump’s remarks, with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasizing that Canadians want “seasoned, serious leadership” during a time of economic uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Poilievre seized on Trump’s comments as evidence that the Liberals are weak in standing up to American pressure. At a campaign-style event in Sudbury, Poilievre accused Carney of being the leader Trump wants because he “will keep this country weak.”

“That’s exactly the kind of weak, compromised, conflicted leadership that Donald Trump wants, and it’s why he endorsed Mark Carney,” Poilievre said.

He also criticized Carney’s involvement in Brookfield Asset Management’s controversial move of its headquarters from Toronto to New York, accusing him of “moving jobs to Trump’s hometown.”

The Liberals, for their part, argue that Carney’s experience as a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor makes him the best leader to handle Canada’s economy amid global uncertainty.

Will Trump’s Comments Sway Voters?

Political analysts say Trump’s remarks could have a polarizing effect. On one hand, they may reinforce Liberal arguments that Poilievre is too extreme and unfit to handle Canada-U.S. relations. On the other, they could fire up Conservative voters who see Trump’s comments as an endorsement of the status quo and proof that Carney is too soft on U.S. trade aggression.

Pollster Nik Nanos describes the situation as “highly volatile.”

“This election is about which of the leaders is best able to deal with Donald Trump. It is a coin toss.”

Trump’s influence in Canadian politics has been a recurring theme since his first presidency, with his trade battles and personal clashes with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shaping public opinion. Now, his latest comments could shift the dynamics of what was already a highly competitive election.

With the election campaign likely set to begin within days, party leaders will have to navigate the unexpected weight of a U.S. president’s words on the minds of Canadian voters.