Trump endorses global rivals as U.S. Embassy lists Canadian actions

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa published a list of actions by Canadian officials that it says could interfere with the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

The embassy's fact sheet, released on Wednesday, cites four specific events. These include Liberal MP Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Florida Democrat during a primary earlier this year. It also notes comments made by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly regarding counter-tariff strategies, some dating back to March 2025. The list further identifies an Ontario government advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan that ran in the U.S. last year and a federal government billboard campaign from early 2025.

This release follows warnings from Ambassador Pete Hoekstra and Trump adviser Peter Navarro that Canada should not involve itself in the Nov. 3 vote. Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the claims during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. He stated there is no merit to the accusations and expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy sees making such suggestions as part of his role.

President Donald Trump has endorsed candidates in foreign nations since returning to the White House in early 2025. He has backed presidential or prime ministerial candidates in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. More recently, he voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of an election. Trump also supported former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost his re-election bid. During a February meeting of his Board of Peace, Trump said, 'I'm not supposed to be endorsing people. As long as it works, it's OK with me.'

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, described the U.S. position as the pot calling the kettle black. He noted that the administration has a long track record of intervening directly in the elections of allies. Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard told Rosemary Barton Live that the administration lacks credibility given Trump's endorsements. He said he would take the accusation seriously if it came from the Reagan, Bush, Obama, or Clinton administrations, but not from the current one.

The U.S. Embassy declined to comment when asked if a similar Canadian endorsement would constitute interference. The embassy's release came as trade tensions affect Republican candidates in border states. Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said she secured exemptions to tariffs. A Republican candidate for Michigan's open Senate seat released an ad earlier this month criticizing the tariff war. In the ad, the candidate states that Canada is not an enemy.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in January that Alberta would make a natural partner for the U.S. while discussing a separation referendum. The Globe and Mail reported that Republican operatives were in Alberta earlier this year to help the separatist campaign. Carney said he does not expect the U.S. to blame Canada for poor midterm results or impose more tariffs.

The embassy's fact sheet appeared after Carney and other officials dismissed previous suggestions of Canadian influence. Joly pushed back against the accusations, noting she has met with Republicans and Democrats in recent months. Drezner characterized those meetings as garden variety diplomacy. The U.S. election is scheduled for Nov. 3.