Canada votes as Trump renews US takeover push

OTTAWA: Canadians across six time zones were voting on Monday to choose a new leader to confront Donald Trump´s trade war and annexation threats, which the US president renewed in a forceful election day message.

The Liberal Party, led by new Prime Minister Mark Carney, looked set to lose to the Conservatives´ Pierre Poilievre until Trump´s attacks on Canada sparked a sudden reversal in poll forecasts.

Trump inserted himself into Canadian politics on election day with a social media post saying Canada would face “ZERO TARIFFS” if it “becomes the cherished 51st state.”

“No more artificially drawn line from many years ago,” he said. Trump´s prominence in the race has hurt Poilievre´s chances of becoming prime minister and the Tory leader hit back before he voted on Monday.

“President Trump, stay out of our election,” he posted on X. “Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.” Carney also chided the president, saying on X: “This is Canada and we decide what happens here.”

The 60-year-old has never held elected office and only replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month. He had a lucrative career as an investment banker before serving as the central bank governor in both Canada and Britain.