U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell on Tuesday, revealing he’d prefer dealing with a Liberal-led Canadian government over a Conservative one, even as he shrugged off the outcome of Canada’s upcoming election. Speaking on Fox News’s The Ingraham Angle, Trump declared, “I’d rather deal with a liberal than a conservative,” adding with characteristic nonchalance, “I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”
Trump’s comments come amid his aggressive trade tactics toward Canada, including imposing steep tariffs on Canadian goods and repeatedly floating the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state. Host Laura Ingraham pressed Trump on whether his hardline approach might inadvertently boost the Liberals—potentially leading to a Canadian government less friendly to U.S. interests. Trump brushed off the concern, saying, “I think it’s easier to deal, actually, with a liberal, and maybe they’re going to win, but I don’t really care.”
The U.S. president didn’t hold back on his disdain for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, slamming him as “no friend of mine” and criticizing him for past negative remarks. “I don’t know him, but he said negative things,” Trump remarked. “When he says negative things, I couldn’t care less.” Trump has previously taken jabs at Poilievre, once claiming the Conservative leader isn’t a “MAGA guy,” a label central to Trump’s political brand.
Canada’s political landscape has been in flux since the Liberal Party, in power since 2015 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, appeared poised for defeat in the election due by October 20—or possibly sooner. However, the Liberals have staged a dramatic resurgence under their new leader, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was sworn in earlier this month. Recent polls show the Liberals narrowing the gap with the Conservatives, with some even placing them in the lead.
The Liberals have painted Poilievre as a Trump-esque right-wing populist, while Poilievre has countered by branding Carney as a continuation of the Trudeau era and adopting a “Canada First” mantra to rally support against U.S. pressures. In response to Trump’s comments, Poilievre took to X, accusing Carney of being “weak” and likely to “cave to Trump’s demands.” He argued, “Canadians want a strong prime minister who will put Canada first,” and pointedly noted Trump’s preference for Carney as evidence of the Liberal leader’s pliability. “Last night, President Donald Trump endorsed Mark Carney. Why? Because, as Trump said, he’s ‘easier’ to deal with,” Poilievre posted.
Meanwhile, Carney has been vocal about defending Canada’s sovereignty, recently wrapping up a European trip where he emphasized Canada’s ability to stand firm against external pressures. The Liberal Party did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s remarks.
Trump’s latest statements add fuel to an already tense U.S.-Canada relationship, with tariffs set to escalate on April 2 unless negotiations yield a breakthrough. U.S. Treasury Secretary comments earlier this week suggested the tariffs could be a starting point for talks, though conflicting messages from other Trump officials have muddied the waters.
As Canada heads toward a pivotal election, Trump’s indifference—and his unexpected preference for a Liberal government—could reshape the political narrative, with both parties now navigating the shadow of U.S. influence.