Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has rejected allegations that his country intends to interfere in the November 3 United States midterm elections, expressing disappointment over remarks by the US ambassador to Canada.
Carney spoke on Friday during an official visit to Turkey, dismissing the allegations as baseless amid strained relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“There is no merit to these claims,” he told reporters.
“I’m disappointed their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions.”
The dispute followed a statement by the US embassy in Canada on Wednesday accusing Ottawa of dismissing concerns about possible interference in American elections, despite what it described as Canadian ministers and provincial premiers openly discussing plans to influence US politics.
A week earlier, US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra had warned Canadians during a podcast appearance to “keep your nose out of American politics.”
Carney’s response comes against the backdrop of worsening relations between the two countries following the collapse of trade negotiations in late August.
Canada withdrew from the discussions, citing what it described as unreasonable demands from the United States.
US President Donald Trump has imposed several tariffs on Canadian imports and has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become part of the United States.
Meanwhile, opinion polls indicate that Trump’s Republican Party could perform poorly in the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
Asked whether Trump might respond to disappointing election results by imposing additional tariffs on Canada, Carney said he did not consider such a move likely.
The trade negotiations that collapsed in August were partly aimed at reducing some of the existing tariffs.
However, Carney reiterated that Canada was not under pressure to reach an agreement and suggested, for the first time, that a deal might not be concluded until Trump’s presidency ends.
“If it has to be months from now or longer than that, or another administration before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that,” he said.
Carney’s visit to Turkey is part of efforts to reduce Canada’s dependence on the US economy and diversify its economic relationships.
Reaffirming his country’s position on its sovereignty, the Canadian prime minister said, “It’s absolutely clear where I stand, where Canada stands, where Canadians stand. We will never be the 51st state. We are going our own way,” Carney said.
