U.S. Embassy cites Canadian meddling as Trump backs foreign leaders

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a document on Wednesday that lists specific Canadian actions it believes may influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The release coincides with President Donald Trump’s recent public support for political figures in Europe and the Middle East. This exchange of claims occurs less than a week before American voters cast ballots on Nov. 3.

The diplomatic friction began earlier this year when U.S. officials warned Canadian counterparts to stay out of the election. Prime Minister Mark Carney and other government members dismissed those warnings. The embassy’s new fact sheet responds directly to that dismissal. It identifies four instances of potential interference.

One example involves Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who canvassed for a Florida Democrat during a primary vote earlier this year. He described the candidate as a friend. The embassy also cited comments by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly regarding Canada’s counter-tariff strategy. Some of those remarks date back to March 2025, when she held the portfolio for foreign affairs. The list includes a billboard campaign run by the federal government in early 2025. It also references a Ronald Reagan advertisement produced by the Ontario government that aired in the U.S. last year.

While the embassy focuses on Canadian actions, the U.S. president has endorsed candidates in foreign races since returning to office in early 2025. Trump has supported presidential or prime ministerial candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. Most recently, he voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an election this Tuesday. He also backed the failed re-election bid of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Vice President JD Vance attended a rally in Budapest to support that bid. Trump also suggested a financial support package for Argentina would depend on the results for President Javier Milei’s party in last year’s midterms.

Trump addressed his practice during the February inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace. "I'm not supposed to be endorsing people," he said. "As long as it works, it's OK with me." He previously boasted that he has a good record of endorsing candidates in the U.S. and abroad.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, called the U.S. stance a case of the pot calling the kettle black. He noted that the administration has a long track record of intervening in the elections of official allies. Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard agreed. In an interview airing Sunday, Blanchard said the administration lacks credibility given Trump’s endorsements. "If this accusation had come from the Reagan administration or the Bush administration or the Obama administration, the Clinton administration, I would take it seriously," Blanchard said. "But I can't from this current administration."

The U.S. Embassy declined to comment when asked if a similar Canadian endorsement would count as interference. Carney responded to the embassy’s claims during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. "There is no merit to these claims, so I'll call it out that way," Carney said. He expressed disappointment that Ambassador Pete Hoekstra sees making such suggestions as his role.

U.S. interest in Canadian politics is not limited to federal matters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated in January that Alberta would make a natural partner for the U.S. if a separation referendum passed. Republican political operatives were on the ground in Alberta earlier this year to assist the separatist campaign. Alberta separatists also attended meetings in U.S. State Department offices in Washington, D.C., last year.

The trade war has become a focal point for Republican candidates in border states. Senator Susan Collins, who represents Maine, said Friday that she secured exemptions to tariffs. She pledged to continue working with administration officials for additional relief. In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers released a 30-second ad criticizing tariffs. "Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now," Rogers says in the ad. Carney said he does not expect the administration to blame Canada for poor midterm results and impose more tariffs.