Millions of Americans are heading to the polls Tuesday as a chaotic presidential campaign reaches its peak in a deeply divided United States, where voters in only a handful of battleground states will choose the country香蕉视频直播檚 path forward.
Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have presented starkly different visions for America香蕉视频直播檚 future, but polling shows the two remain in a dead heat.
香蕉视频直播淎ny election in the U.S. is important and impactful for us,香蕉视频直播� said Kirsten Hillman, Canada香蕉视频直播檚 ambassador to the United States. 香蕉视频直播淭hey are central to our economic prosperity. They are a vital security partner.香蕉视频直播�
Hillman has been travelling across America meeting with key members of the Republican and Democrat teams to prepare for any outcome. On election night, after her embassy duties are finished, she香蕉视频直播檒l be watching the results with her husband and friends 香蕉视频直播� and said she香蕉视频直播檚 leaning toward ordering pizza.
While the gathering with loved ones may bring solace amid the anxious anticipation, Hillman knows more than anyone the immense stakes at play for Canada.
香蕉视频直播淲hoever is sitting in the Oval Office and populating Congress is making decisions that may affect Canada, either decisions that provide us with opportunities or decisions that pose challenges for us,香蕉视频直播� Hillman said. 香蕉视频直播淭he job is to be ready for both.香蕉视频直播�
A shared history and 8,891-kilometre border will not shield Canada from the election香蕉视频直播檚 outcome. Both candidates have proposed protectionist policies, but experts warn if the Republican leader prevails the relationship between the neighbours could be much more difficult.
香蕉视频直播淭rump and some of the key people around him, including (former trade representative) Robert Lighthizer, really want to stick it to Canada,香蕉视频直播� said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa.
Trump香蕉视频直播檚 first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America香蕉视频直播檚 whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Negotiating its successor, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, was a key test for Ottawa after Trump香蕉视频直播檚 victory. Whoever takes over the White House this time will be in charge during the agreement香蕉视频直播檚 review in 2026.
A cause for concern in Canada and around the world is Trump香蕉视频直播檚 proposed 10 per cent across-the-board tariff. A Canadian Chamber of Commerce report suggests those tariffs would shrink the Canadian economy, resulting in around $30 billion per year in economic costs.
American economists warned Trump香蕉视频直播檚 plan could cause inflation, and possibly a recession, which would almost certainly have ripple effects in Canada. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S and trade comprises 60 per cent of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 gross domestic product.
香蕉视频直播淲hen the American economy is growing, it香蕉视频直播檚 generally good for us,香蕉视频直播� Hampson said. 香蕉视频直播淚f they take a deep dive under Trump 香蕉视频直播� that will have a knock-on effect on us, on top of tariffs.香蕉视频直播�
The election outcome could also redefine America香蕉视频直播檚 role in the world. Trump is critical of giving aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia, has attacked the United Nations and repeatedly claimed he would not defend NATO members that don香蕉视频直播檛 meet defence spending targets 香蕉视频直播� something Canada is not doing, and won香蕉视频直播檛 for years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to meet the target of spending the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2032.
Trump香蕉视频直播檚 first tenure also saw the Republican leader withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty to cut greenhouse gases.
Hampson said the Republicans香蕉视频直播� push against international institutions and treaties will have 香蕉视频直播渁 profound impact香蕉视频直播� on Canada, but also key allies and the world order itself.
If Harris wins, it香蕉视频直播檚 widely expected that there will be more normal relations based on established patterns and rules, but it does not necessarily mean smooth sailing for Canada.
It香蕉视频直播檚 expected the vice-president would follow the path laid by President Joe Biden on foreign policy and trade with Canada.
Biden signed an executive order to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have transferred oil from Alberta to Nebraska. The administration香蕉视频直播檚 Buy America procurement rules also caused concern in Canada.
Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said she expects a Harris administration would continue nationalist and protectionist policies.
Harris has spoken on the campaign trail about the fact that she voted against the trilateral trade agreement and said she will return manufacturing jobs to the U.S.
It香蕉视频直播檚 a great slogan and bumper sticker, Dawson said, 香蕉视频直播渂ut it香蕉视频直播檚 terrible if you are Canada.香蕉视频直播�
Dawson warned Trudeau香蕉视频直播檚 team during a cabinet retreat in August that no matter who is the next president, Canada will have to work harder to maintain existing benefits of integrated trade and travel.
Meanwhile, many Americans are caught between anxiety and excitement. Sixteen-year-old Gavin Kupcho attended his first Trump rally in Wisconsin last week.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e never felt more enthused in my life,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 need lower gas prices since I just got my licence.香蕉视频直播�
The situation feels more dire for Antonio White, who travelled from Miami to Milwaukee to knock on doors for Harris in the crucial battleground state. The 63-year-old said America is at a critical point 香蕉视频直播渨here people are no longer recognizing fascism when they see it.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭his is an election we must win for the sanctity of everybody, for the country itself,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淒emocracy is on the ballot this time.香蕉视频直播�
