LeBlanc says U.S. midterm results won’t change Ottawa’s plans to diversify trade

OTTAWA — Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that the government's efforts to diversify trade will remain on track despite the U.S. midterm elections resulting in Democrats taking control of both houses of Congress. LeBlanc expressed his anticipation for further discussions with the Trump administration, emphasizing that the midterm results were intriguing but would not alter the government's trade agenda.

The U.S. midterms saw the influence of tariffs in battleground states such as Maine and Michigan, where losing Republican candidates criticized Trump's rhetoric against Canada. LeBlanc refuted claims that Canada's response tariffs had swayed Republican politicians in these states, reiterating that the primary objective was to safeguard Canadian jobs and ensure a fair economic playing field with the United States.

Negotiations had been on hold since Canada withdrew from talks in August, but Prime Minister Mark Carney announced renewed formal discussions had commenced recently. This report, initially published by The Canadian Press on November 4, 2026, by David Baxter, highlights the resilience of Canada's trade policies amidst shifting political landscapes.