Trump's trade war, annexation threats upends Canada's election

Trump's trade war boosts Canada's Liberal Party, challenging Conservative dominance in upcoming election.

U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats have upended Canada's election and improved the fortunes of the Liberal Party, which could win a fourth consecutive term in power next week.

The Liberal Party leader’s and the Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, looked headed for a crushing defeat in Monday’s (April 28, 2025) election until the American President started attacking Canada’s economy and even threatening its sovereignty, including suggesting it should become the 51st state.

Mr. Trump's dumping on Canada has infuriated its people and stoked a surge in Canadian nationalism that has helped the Liberals flip the election narrative.

“Trump has immersed himself into our lives and has defined the ballot question,” former Quebec Premier Jean Charest said.

“What Trump has done is shed light on who we are,” he said.

Even separatists in French-speaking Quebec “are very much aligned with other Canadians in defending the country and responding very firmly to the fact that we're not going to be the 51st state,” Mr. Charest said.

The Opposition Conservative Party's leader, Pierre Poilievre, hoped to make the election a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the end of his decade in power as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged.