Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is urging American politicians to use the results of the U.S. midterm elections as an opportunity to change course on tariffs against Canada and work toward ending the war with Iran.
Kinew made the appeal Wednesday, a day after Democrats recorded major gains in the congressional vote. The party won control of both chambers of Congress and also captured Republican-held Senate seats and positions at the state level, according to the source material.
In a social-media message, Kinew congratulated the Democrats and described their performance as a decisive setback for U.S. President Donald Trump, whom the Manitoba premier has repeatedly criticized.
“Absolutely dominating Trump.”
The premier said the election outcome represented a clear response from American voters to the president's actions. He also framed the result as a possible opening for a reset between the two countries, saying Canadians are prepared to rebuild the relationship with the United States and strengthen both economies.
A trade relationship under strain
Kinew's comments come while formal trade negotiations between Canada and the United States remain stalled. Canada left the negotiations in August, although Prime Minister Mark Carney has said official discussions have taken place in recent days.
The source does not provide details about the current tariff rates, the products affected or the terms of the recent discussions. Kinew's message instead focuses on the political direction he wants to see from Washington: the removal of tariffs and a return to closer economic co-operation.
For Manitoba, the dispute is being watched closely because the province's economy is linked to trade with the United States. The premier's statement did not identify particular Manitoba industries or businesses affected by the tariffs, nor did it outline any new provincial measures in response.
- Kinew is calling for tariffs on Canada to be removed.
- He says the two countries should rebuild their relationship and reinforce their economies.
- He is also urging U.S. politicians to help bring the war with Iran to an end.
Recognition of Indigenous and Muslim political milestones
Alongside his broader reaction to the election, Kinew singled out three candidates whose victories he described as historic. He congratulated Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota, identified as the first Indigenous woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
He also recognized Deb Haaland, who is set to lead New Mexico as the first Indigenous woman to serve as the state's governor. Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan was highlighted as the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
Those acknowledgements added a representation and identity-focused element to Kinew's response. The premier's message connected the three results to a wider political shift in the United States, while his comments on Canada centred on trade and the future of bilateral relations.
What happens next
The election results do not, on their own, change Canada's tariff situation or guarantee that stalled negotiations will resume. Any change in U.S. trade policy would depend on decisions by American lawmakers and the administration, while the diplomatic path regarding Iran would involve the United States and other international actors.
Carney's recent reference to official trade discussions suggests contact between the two governments is continuing, but the source provides no indication that an agreement has been reached. Kinew's intervention is therefore a political appeal rather than an announcement of a new deal.
For Manitobans, the immediate significance lies in the premier publicly tying the American election to issues that can shape the province's economic relationship with its largest international neighbour. Kinew said Canadians are ready to repair that relationship; whether the next phase brings lower trade barriers or renewed negotiations remains to be determined.
