Carney rejects US election-meddling claims as Canada ties fray
What's next: The dispute adds strain after trade talks collapsed in August, with Ottawa signaling it may wait out Trump's term for a deal.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back Friday on US claims that Ottawa plans to meddle in next month's US midterm elections, calling the accusations baseless and criticizing comments by the American envoy. Speaking during a visit to Turkey, Carney said Canada had no intention of interfering in the Nov. 3 vote and expressed disappointment that Ambassador Pete Hoekstra had made the allegations. The clash comes as relations between the neighbors remain tense after Canada abandoned trade talks in late August, blaming unreasonable US demands. Carney also indicated Ottawa is in no rush to revive a deal and could wait until after President Donald Trump's term if needed, as Canada tries to reduce its heavy reliance on the US economy.