VideoU.S.–Canada
Trump's veto hat follows Democratic sweep as Ottawa and Ontario react differently
Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, and Canada must decide how hard to press Washington on tariffs before a Carney–Trump meeting in China.
Summary
Donald Trump responded to the midterm results by posting a red hat printed with the word VETO. Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate, but overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds of both chambers, and the new Congress is not sworn in until January. In a Politico interview, Trump said he did not want to spend two years vetoing everything and that his administration would work with Democrats.
In Ottawa, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc congratulated American voters but declined to interpret the results, saying Canada would focus on working with the officials Americans elected. Canadian goods still face U.S. tariffs on autos, steel, aluminum and softwood lumber, and talks that collapsed in August are only now being taken up seriously again. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he had been doing cartwheels, then instructed his cabinet to start contacting members of Congress and senators.
The video argues that Ottawa's quiet channel to the White House and the provinces' outreach to Congress fit together as one strategy. Carney and Trump are set to meet in China later this month. From a Canadian viewpoint, the country was ready for either outcome.
Key points
- Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the midterm elections.
- Overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds of both chambers.
- The new Congress isn't sworn in until January, two months away.
- Canada-U.S. talks collapsed in August, with autos one of the key breaking points.
- LeBlanc said the next two weeks matter more than what Congress does in two months.
- Carney and Trump are set to meet in China later this month.
Questions answered
Why are Canadian tariffs still in place after the Democratic win?
The video says Trump has relied on his own executive authority to impose the tariffs, so the sector tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos remain. Any bill to end them would also have to get past a veto, and the new Congress isn't seated until January.
Why did Dominic LeBlanc refuse to interpret the U.S. election results?
LeBlanc said it is not constructive for Canadians to interpret results in a foreign country's election. He congratulated the people Americans elected, and said Canada's job is to focus on what it can control, which is working with those officials.
What is Canada's two-door strategy in Washington?
The video describes Ottawa's federal channel to the White House, which can sign a trade deal, while provinces such as Ontario and Quebec are reaching lawmakers directly. Ford's cabinet is calling members of Congress, and provincial premiers can court those who will run committees from January.
Prepared by the CanadaNext Editor with AI assistance from public reporting and CanadaNext's own videos. Sources are linked. How we work