Liberals Retain Power Amid Trump-Driven Backlash in Canada

Canada's Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, achieved a surprising comeback victory in the federal election, retaining power despite initial polls predicting a Conservative landslide. The Liberals' win was heavily influenced by a backlash against U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs and annexation, which shifted the campaign's focus to leadership and national sovereignty. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, and although his party won the highest center-right popular vote since 1988, they fell short of forming a government. The collapse of the New Democratic Party further consolidated left-leaning votes behind the Liberals, helping them outgun the Conservatives. Many commentators and political observers credited Trump's antagonistic rhetoric for energizing Liberal support and turning the election into a referendum against him. Despite the victory, the Liberals only secured a minority government, setting the stage for a potentially unstable parliament.