US ambassador reportedly warns Canada could be blamed if the midterms go against Trump

Pete Hoekstra told a closed-door lunch in Ottawa on Tuesday that Canada could be blamed if Republicans lose key Senate races in Michigan and Maine, according to three sources. The midterms are next week.

A US embassy spokesperson said the reported comments are "grossly taken out of context", but declined to share the broader context.

Trump's tariffs on Canadian products have become a key issue in the midterms, and a non-partisan forecaster rates the Senate a toss-up.

And us?

Ottawa believes the midterm pressure has opened a door in trade talks, though officials are cautious and sources say they remain skeptical.