By Justin Heath
Earlier today, U.S. President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share details of what he described as an “extremely productive call” with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The post, made just hours ago as of 11:50 AM EDT, has left observers scratching their heads due to its apparent assumption that Carney will remain Canada’s leader following the federal election scheduled for April 28, 2025—a full month from now. With the Canadian election campaign in full swing and the outcome far from certain, Trump’s message has raised eyebrows for seemingly calling the result in Carney’s favour before a single vote has been cast.
In his post, Trump wrote, “We agree on many things, and will be meeting immediately after Canada’s upcoming Election to work on elements of politics, business, and all other factors, that will end up being great for both the United States of America and Canada.” The phrasing suggests a confidence that Carney, the newly appointed Liberal Party leader and current prime minister, will still be in office post-election.
This stands in stark contrast to the heated and unpredictable race unfolding north of the border, where Carney faces a formidable challenge from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, alongside other contenders like the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and the Bloc Québécois’ Yves-François Blanchet.
The timing of Trump’s post is particularly puzzling given the context of Canada’s snap election, called by Carney on March 23, 2025, amid escalating tensions with the United States over trade tariffs and sovereignty threats. The campaign, now in its fifth day, has been dominated by the question of who is best equipped to handle Trump’s aggressive economic policies and his repeated musings about annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state. Polls show a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives, with neither party guaranteed a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. Trump’s assumption of a post-election meeting with Carney thus appears to pre-empt the democratic process, adding a layer of confusion to an already complex bilateral relationship.
This isn’t the first time Trump has waded into Canada’s electoral waters. Last week, he claimed credit for reviving the Liberals’ fortunes, telling Fox News, “Before I got involved and totally changed the election… the Conservative was leading.” He added, “I don’t care who wins up there,” suggesting a pragmatic indifference to the outcome, yet his latest post implies a preference—or at least an expectation—that Carney will prevail. Notably, this marks the first time Trump has publicly named Carney since the former central banker assumed the premiership on March 14, 2025, following Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Previously, Trump had taunted Trudeau by calling him “Governor Trudeau,” a jab tied to his annexation rhetoric, but his tone toward Carney in this instance appears more conciliatory.
The confusion deepens when considering Carney’s own stance. Throughout the campaign, he has emphasized that any dialogue with Trump hinges on mutual respect for Canada’s sovereignty, a condition Trump’s past comments have often flouted. Just yesterday, on March 27, Carney told reporters in Ottawa that he would speak with Trump “soon” but withheld specifics on retaliatory measures against impending U.S. auto tariffs, set to take effect April 2. Trump’s post, however, frames their conversation as a done deal, with plans for a future meeting already in motion. This disconnect suggests either a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt by Trump to project certainty amid uncertainty.
For Canadians, the election remains a high-stakes affair. The Liberals, buoyed by a surge in nationalism sparked by Trump’s trade war, are pushing a “Canada Strong” message, while Poilievre’s Conservatives counter with a “Canada First” platform, promising to stand firm against U.S. pressure. Trump’s post risks amplifying perceptions of foreign interference, a sensitive issue as voters weigh their options. Some Conservative supporters have already seized on it, interpreting it as a tacit endorsement of Carney, though Trump has stopped short of explicit backing.
As of now, neither Carney’s office nor the White House has clarified the exact timing of the call Trump referenced. If it occurred today, as the post implies, it would mark their first direct contact—a significant development given Carney’s earlier reluctance to engage until Trump tones down his rhetoric. Alternatively, Trump could be speaking prospectively, conflating a planned call with one already held. Either way, the post’s forward-looking reference to a post-election meeting with Carney stands out as a bold, if perplexing, prediction.
With 31 days until Canadians head to the polls, Trump’s latest Truth Social missive has injected an unexpected twist into an already tumultuous campaign. Whether it reflects a genuine belief in Carney’s staying power, a strategic ploy, or simply a rhetorical flourish, it underscores the outsized role the U.S. president continues to play in Canada’s political narrative. For now, voters and analysts alike are left to ponder: has Trump inadvertently called the election for Carney, or is this just another chapter in his ongoing game of cross-border provocation? Only time—and the ballots—will tell.
Justin Heath is a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae
You can reach him at justin.heath@veritasexpositae.com
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