Canadian Election 2025: How Trump Helps Carney’s Liberals March to Power Signs a Transformation with Global Populism
Carney declared in his victory event: “The United States wants our land, our resources, our water, our country.
The election became a referendum, and leaders could best protect Canada from Trump’s economic and geopolitical moves, especially his 25% tariff on Canadian goods and the ongoing threat to turn Canada into the “51st state” of the United States.
The impact of Trump’s actions is undeniable. His tariffs on major Canadian exports, including auto parts, have triggered a surge in retaliatory collection and nationalist “Canadian buy” sentiment.
In addition, his annexation threat was taken seriously by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, resonating with voters and concerns about Canada’s key mineral resources. By contrast, the right-wing populism and past manifesto of “awakening” by conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, reflecting Trump’s style, who experienced an amazing wealth reversal. Despite leading liberals by 20 points in January, his campaign falters as voters seek leaders to deal with Trump’s influence.
Former central banker Carney has positioned himself as an ideal crisis manager, acknowledging the end of Canada’s “old relationship with the United States” and pledging to negotiate a new trade and security framework with Trump.
However, he also highlighted Canada’s “many other options” and promised to stay in touch with “reliable partners” in Europe, Asia and beyond.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends.
European Commission Director Ursula von der Leyen echoed this view, highlighting the “junction between Europe and Canada” and their shared commitment to “defending our shared democratic values.”
China, through Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, said “willing to build China relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and interests,” which shows a potential shift in relations inspired by past diplomatic disputes.
At home, elections support liberals a lot, mainly at the expense of smaller parties.
New Democratic leader Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation after the loss of his seat, and Québécois’s representatives also declined.
If liberals fail to secure a majority, this shift towards a bipartisan system (unusual for Canada) could complicate the formation of a minority government.
The results of the Canadian election are seen globally as a potential turning point for populist politicians who are aligned with Trump.
With elections in countries like Austria and France seeing a surge in right-wing support last year, Canada’s Trump-like approach to rejecting Poilievre could mean a broader shift.
Analysts now predict that similar strategies could hinder conservative leader Peter Dutton’s chances in the upcoming Australian federal election, in which polls recently backed the centre-left Labor Party.
