The Trump administration has escalated tensions with Canada ahead of the November 3 midterm elections in the U.S., accusing Canadian politicians of attempting to influence American politics and warning that “Americans decide America’s elections.”
In a fact sheet published October 21, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada listed nine examples of what it described as Canadian activities in U.S. politics. The document criticizes Canadian officials for opposing U.S. trade policies, engaging with American politicians and supporting campaigns designed to put pressure on Washington over tariffs.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa said the Canadian government was brushing off concerns about potential election interference even while its “ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics in official documents and public appearances."
Among the examples cited are Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s meetings with Democratic officials and prospective presidential candidates, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s calls for retaliatory tariffs targeting politically important U.S. states, and Ontario’s C$75 million anti-tariff advertising campaign.
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The embassy also highlighted reports that Canadian Liberal MP Anthony Housefather campaigned for Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz during a Florida primary and cited cases involving Canadians charged or sentenced over illegal voting in American elections.
According to the document, at least 11 Canadians have been charged or sentenced in 2026 in cases involving elections held between 2012 and 2024.
It concluded with a warning: “All Canadians should refrain from attempting to participate in or influence U.S. elections in any way. Americans decide America’s elections."
Newsweek contacted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office via online form and the U.S. Embassy in Canada via email on Thursday for comment.
Carney Pushes Back on Claims of Interference
The accusations have been rejected by Canadian leaders. Carney said Canada’s actions were responses to U.S. trade measures and were intended to protect Canadian workers, companies and the economy, while Ford said he had “no interest at all” in interfering in American elections, as reported by CitiNews.
Carney also joked about U.S. concerns over Canadian interference at a pro-Canada rally in Calgary, as reported by CBC.
When the prime minister discussed reducing dependence on the United States by advancing the Pacific pipeline link, he was met with rousing cheers. He responded: “Careful, they might think that's election interference. Just saying. They're a little touchy down there.”
The spat has also drawn attention from former President Bill Clinton, who defended Carney amid attacks from the Trump administration in comments highlighted by Clash Report on X.
Clinton's intervention adds to the political debate surrounding Trump's approach to Canada, as disagreements over trade and tariffs increasingly spill into relations between the two countries, with Trump imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and Canada responding with countermeasures.
The trade conflict has strained relations between the longtime allies, while Carney has sought to protect Canadian businesses and reduce the country's economic dependence on the United States.
Trump recently called Canada "one of the world's worst countries."
Canadians Caught Up in Voting Crackdown
The embassy's warning comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny of noncitizen voting ahead of the midterm elections.
A separate CBC News report examined how Canadians have been caught up in the administration's crackdown on noncitizen voting. Noncitizens are generally prohibited from voting in federal elections in the United States. But individual cases involving alleged illegal voting are distinct from claims that a foreign government is attempting to influence an election.
The embassy's fact sheet links individual voting cases to the political activities of Canadian officials.
However, lobbying, public criticism of another country's policies and advertising aimed at influencing its political debate do not, in themselves, constitute unlawful election interference.
With the midterms 12 days away, the allegations raise questions about how the Trump administration defines foreign interference and whether its warnings will lead to further action affecting Canadians.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn
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Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Dave Siminoff.