US Accuses Canada of Interfering in Midterm Elections
“All Canadians should refrain in any way from participating in or attempting to influence U.S. elections,” the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa stated in an explanatory briefing given to reporters on October 21. The warning arrives as Washington and Ottawa manage widening diplomatic friction over trade tariffs and foreign interference accusations, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency. The embassy emphasized that U.S. elections are decided by Americans.
Washington Targets Canadian Officials Over Alleged Interference
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa distributed documents pointing directly to several high-profile Canadian figures as part of an alleged influence campaign targeting American politics. The officials named include Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Liberal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather, and Boston-based Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan.
The diplomatic friction builds on prior warnings issued by Trump administration officials. Peter Navarro, senior White House trade and manufacturing adviser, addressed economic relations during a Washington, D.C. event on September 29. Navarro warned Canadian officials to stay clear of Washington lobbying infrastructure, telling them directly to leave K Street if they operated there. He told them, You have lobbied this country in the past, you have succeeded, and you think you will be able to continue to do so,
and added, Please, if you are on ‘K Street’, get out of our country right now.
Piet Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, also stated in a recent podcast appearance that American authorities are closely monitoring signs of political interference from Canadian politicians.
Washington specifically flagged statements made by Industry Minister Joly in August, when she announced retaliatory tariffs against the United States and pointed to political pressure as a strategic tool. U.S. officials also cited Housefather’s summer travels to the United States, where he participated in campaign events for a Democratic candidate.
Ottawa Dismisses Allegations As Overreactions
Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the interference allegations during a press conference following a public address on October 15, where he outlined plans to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the United States. Commenting on the mounting tensions, Carney remarked that American officials might mistake his economic independence goals for election interference, adding that people on the southern side of the border tend to be a bit sensitive.
Industry Minister Joly similarly pushed back against the accusations in recent comments to reporters. Joly maintained that Canadians would never engage in election interference, nor would they permit such activities to take place within Canada. The public disputes highlight a tense period of cross-border relations following earlier clashes over import tariffs and bilateral trade policies.