U.S. Embassy accuses Canada of meddling while Trump backs six foreign leaders

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a document on Wednesday listing specific Canadian actions that it argues amount to potential interference in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. The release followed repeated warnings from American officials that Canada should stay out of the November 3 vote. The list cites recent political activities by Canadian officials, including comments from Industry Minister Melanie Joly and the Ontario government's advertising campaigns in the U.S.

The accusations arrived at a moment of heightened tension between the two nations. In early 2025, the U.S. initiated a trade dispute with Canada. Since then, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other administration figures have engaged with separatist groups in Alberta. The embassy's fact sheet also references a billboard campaign run by the federal government in early 2025 and a Ronald Reagan-themed advertisement produced by the Ontario provincial government last year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has dismissed the accusations. Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul on Friday, Carney stated there is no merit to the claims. He expressed disappointment that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra views making such suggestions as part of his role. Carney noted that his government has maintained that it is not trying to influence the outcome of the U.S. vote.

President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in foreign elections since returning to the White House in early 2025. He has backed candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. Most recently, Trump voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an election on Tuesday. Trump also supported Viktor Orban's failed re-election bid in Hungary, a campaign that included a rally appearance by Vice President JD Vance in Budapest.

In an interview with Rosemary Barton Live airing Sunday, former U.S. ambassador to Canada James Blanchard said the current administration lacks credibility in making these charges. Blanchard argued that the claim would carry more weight if it came from past administrations. He noted that the current president has a history of weighing in on foreign electoral politics, including a 2025 social media post stating a preference for dealing with a Canadian liberal over a conservative.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, described the situation as a case of the pot calling the kettle black. He noted that heads of state typically avoid overt campaigning for foreign parties to maintain neutral business relationships. Drezner pointed out that while some cited actions, such as meetings between Canadian officials and U.S. politicians, are standard diplomacy, the accumulation of events has created a specific diplomatic friction.

The trade war has become a central issue for Republican candidates in border states. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said Friday that she secured exemptions to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. In Michigan, a Republican candidate for the open Senate seat released an ad earlier this month criticizing the tariff war. The candidate, Mike Rogers, argued that Canada is not an enemy and called for an end to the levies.

The U.S. Embassy declined to comment when asked if a Canadian official offering a similar endorsement to a U.S. midterm candidate would also be considered interference. The embassy's release came after warnings from Hoekstra and Trump adviser Peter Navarro. Carney said on Friday that he does not expect the administration to blame Canada for poor midterm results or impose additional tariffs.