Key facts
- Canada has no intention of interfering in the November 3 US elections.
- US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra urged Canadians to "keep your nose out of American politics."
- Canada walked away from trade deal talks in late August due to US demands.
- Canada may wait until after Donald Trump's term for a trade deal.
Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday dismissed accusations that Canada planned to interfere in the upcoming US midterm elections, expressing disappointment in comments made by the US ambassador. The US embassy in Canada had stated that Ottawa "brushes off concerns about potential interference in US elections, even as its ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics." Ambassador Pete Hoekstra had previously told a podcast that his message to Canadians was to "keep your nose out of American politics." Carney told reporters during a visit to Turkey that Canada had no intention of interfering in the November 3 elections and that there was "no merit to these claims." The remarks come amid chilly bilateral relations since Canada withdrew from trade deal talks in late August over US demands. Carney suggested Canada might wait until after Donald Trump's term for a trade deal, stating "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." The trip to Turkey is part of Canada's effort to reduce its reliance on the US economy, with Carney asserting, "We will never be the 51st state. We are going our own way."