U.S. Embassy cites four Canadian moves as midterm election interference

Washington and Ottawa are at odds over the influence of foreign governments in the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet on Wednesday listing four specific Canadian actions it considers potential interference. This move occurs while President Donald Trump maintains a public record of supporting candidates in other nations. The tension centers on whether the U.S. is applying a double standard to its closest neighbor.

The embassy identified Liberal MP Anthony Housefather’s canvassing for a Florida Democrat as one instance of interference. Housefather described the candidate as a friend during this year's primary. The second item involves Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s comments on Canada’s counter-tariff strategy dating back to March 2025. The third citation is the Ontario government’s Ronald Reagan advertisement that aired in the United States last year. The fourth is a federal billboard campaign launched in early 2025.

Trump has endorsed roughly half a dozen candidates worldwide since returning to the White House in early 2025. These endorsements include presidential or prime ministerial hopefuls in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. He recently voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of an election on Tuesday. He also backed former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s failed re-election bid, a campaign that included Vice President JD Vance speaking at a rally in Budapest. Additionally, Trump suggested that financial support for Argentina would depend on a strong result for President Javier Milei’s party in last year's midterms.

Trump defended these interventions at the February inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace. He stated that he is not supposed to be endorsing people but believes it is acceptable as long as it works. Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, described the current warnings as the pot calling the kettle black. He noted that the administration has a long track record of intervening directly in the elections of official allies.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard told Rosemary Barton Live that the administration lacks credibility on this issue. He said he would take the accusation seriously if it came from previous administrations under Reagan, Bush, Obama, or Clinton, but he cannot say the same for the current one. The embassy declined to comment on whether a similar endorsement from a Canadian official would constitute interference given Trump’s record. Trump wrote on social media during Canada’s 2025 campaign that he would rather deal with a liberal than a conservative. Barack Obama endorsed Justin Trudeau in 2019 and 2021, while Senator Bernie Sanders backed Jagmeet Singh in 2021, though both held no executive office at the time.

U.S. officials have also shown interest in Alberta’s referendum debate. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in January that the province would be a natural partner for the United States while discussing a possible separation vote. The Globe and Mail reported that Republican operatives aided the separatist campaign in Alberta earlier this year. CBC News previously reported that Alberta separatists attended meetings at U.S. State Department offices in Washington last year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the embassy’s claims during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. He stated that there is no merit to the claims and expressed disappointment that the ambassador viewed such suggestions as his role. Drezner characterized Housefather’s canvassing as slightly unusual but labeled other cited items, such as Joly meeting American politicians, as garden variety diplomacy. Joly has confirmed recent meetings with both Republicans and Democrats.

The trade war has become a pressure point for Republicans in border states like Michigan and Maine. Senator Susan Collins said Friday that she secured exemptions from some tariffs and will continue working toward a broader trade agreement with Canada. Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers released an ad this month declaring that Canada is not an enemy. Drezner said he could easily see the White House blaming poor midterm results on Canada. Carney said Friday that he does not see that scenario coming to pass.