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.
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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.
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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 Sm