As Canada heads into its 2025 federal election, the US-Canada relationship under President Donald Trump has become a pivotal issue. Prime Minister Mark Carney advocates for defending Canadian sovereignty, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre seeks to restore ties with the US.read more
As Canadian elections begin on Monday (April 28), foreign policy and the US-Canada relationship under President Donald Trump have become central issues.
Mark Carney, the leader of the Liberal Party and current Prime Minister, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of Canadian sovereignty, vowing to directly confront the challenges posed by Trump’s policies. In contrast, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, aligning more with Trump’s approach, emphasises restoring Canada’s ties with the US amid a rise in nationalist sentiment.
Read on to know the five ways that Trump is influencing Canada’s elections.
1. Surge in nationalism
Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have sparked a wave of nationalism and deeply angered Canadians. The backlash against Trump has overshadowed domestic issues, shifting the focus of the 2025 elections to foreign policy and sovereignty.
This shift in public sentiment has been a boon for Carney’s Liberals, who are framing the election as a choice between defending Canada’s sovereignty or aligning with Trump’s rhetoric.
“Trump is the campaign. The ballot question is who is the person we are going to choose to face Trump.” said former Quebec Premier John Charest.
2. Economic and trade uncertainty
Trump’s trade restrictions and tariffs on Canadian goods have raised concerns about economic instability in Canada. Liberal leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney has positioned himself as the candidate who can defend Canada’s economic interests.
“We are in a crisis. President Trump is threatening Canada, he’s threatening our companies, he’s threatening our workers, he’s threatening the savings of our retirees,” Carney said on Tuesday.
In contrast, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has focused on restoring relations with the United States.
“Poilievre, meanwhile, would be very much in sync with the new direction in America,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a Conservative ally.
3. Focus on foreign policy
Carney has made foreign policy a central issue in the 2025 elections, criticising Trump for damaging the long-standing Canada-US relationship.
On the final day of his campaign, Carney warned that the United States is seeking Canada’s land and resources, vowing to fight back with aggressive counter-tariffs to protect Canada’s sovereignty. This stance helped Carney boost his chances of winning the election, as it resonated with voters who were strongly opposed to Trump’s rhetoric and actions.
4. Conservatives align with Trump
The leader of the Conservative Party, Poilievre’s support for Trump’s “new direction in America” has raised concerns among Canadians. Some perceive his alignment with Trump as potentially detrimental to Canada’s interests. However, Poilievre’s response to Trump’s provocations remains neutral.
This stance could influence his candidacy, especially among voters who are looking for a leader capable of preserving Canada’s independence and sovereignty.
5. Carney’s international diplomacy
In contrast to Poilievre, who has focused more on domestic concerns, Carney has emphasised on foreign policy and international outreach in the elections. His early trip to Paris and London instead of Washington strengthened Canada’s ties with European countries.
The Liberal party, along with Carney, has criticized Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his threats toward Canada, and positioned himself as a leader who can stand firm against external pressures.
“Trump’s threats are not only an economic threat, they are an existential threat,” said Carney.