Canada’s governing Liberal Party has won national elections dominated by United States President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation threats.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who campaigned championing Canada in the face of Trump’s threats, led the Liberals to a fourth consecutive term on Monday.
The victory sealed a stunning turnaround for a party that until recently was on track for a crushing defeat at the hands of the main opposition Conservative Party.
On Tuesday afternoon, public broadcaster CBC projected that the Liberals would form a minority government, falling short of the 172 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons needed to win a majority.
According to CBC’s tally, the Liberals are projected to win 169 seats compared with 144 for the Conservatives.
Trump, whose tariffs and annexation threats against Canada are widely believed to have helped the Liberals to victory, congratulated Carney during a phone call on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
In his victory speech, Carney had issued a dire warning and called on Canadians to unite in the face of Trump’s threats.
“America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” he said. “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us; that will never … ever happen, but we – but we also must recognise the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
Reporting from Canada’s capital Ottawa, Al Jazeera’s John Hendren said many Canadians had said they “wanted to make sure that they were picking a leader who could combat Trump, the one major threat facing the country”.
Canada’s allies in Europe and elsewhere have been quick to herald the outcome of the vote and highlight their joint commitment to democratic values and the rules-based international order.
Here are some reactions to the results:
US President Trump and US State Department
The statement from Carney’s office said the two leaders “agreed on the importance of Canada and the United States working together – as independent, sovereign nations – for their mutual betterment” during their talks. “To that end, the leaders agreed to meet in person in the near future.”
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce also earlier on Tuesday read out a statement on behalf of the Trump administration, congratulating Carney.
“The US-Canada relationship remains one of the most extensive in the world,” Bruce said. “We look forward to working with Carney’s government, particularly on key issues such as trade fairness, combatting illegal immigration, halting the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, and countering the Chinese Communist Party influence in our hemisphere.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
“The bond between Europe and Canada is strong — and growing stronger,” von der Leyen said. “We’ll defend our shared democratic values, promote multilateralism, and champion free and fair trade.”
European Council President Antonio Costa
He offered “warm congratulations, saying: “We share the same values, and attachment to the UN Charter and the rules-based international order.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“Congratulations to Mark Carney on your election victory. The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends,” Starmer said. “I welcome your leadership on international issues, and I know we will continue to work closely on defence, security, trade and investment.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
“You embody a strong Canada in the face of the great challenges of our time,” Macron said in a social media post, referring to Carney. “France looks forward to further strengthening the friendship that binds our countries.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“We are sincerely grateful for Canada’s principled leadership in supporting Ukraine,” Zelenskyy posted on social media. “We are confident that our partnership will only grow stronger in our shared pursuit of peace, justice, and security.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
“Canada is a valued member of NATO,” Rutte wrote on social media. “I look forward to working together to build an even stronger, fairer Alliance – investing more in defence and ramping up industrial production so we have what we need to stay safe.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof
Schoof said he looks forward to continuing “the close cooperation” between Canada and the Netherlands and to welcoming Carney to the NATO Summit in The Hague in June.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric
Boric said Chile and Canada “share the conviction that stable trade relations are essential for the well-being of our peoples”. He added: “From Chile, we reaffirm our commitment to continue strengthening a relationship based on trust and cooperation between our countries.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney on your victory,” he said. “In a time of global uncertainty, I look forward to continuing to work with you to build on the enduring friendship between our nations, in the shared interests of all our citizens.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties,” Modi, whose country’s relations with Canada have been strained recently, said. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.”
China
China, another country with icy relations with Canada, said it is open to improving ties. “China is willing to develop China-Canada relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Former US President Joe Biden
“I congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on their success in Canada’s election,” Biden said. “I’m confident Mark will be a strong leader for the fundamental values and interests Canadians and Americans share.”
