The Democratic Party won control of both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to the Toronto Star. The paper reports that many of the incoming lawmakers campaigned against President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade policies, among other issues.
The result is being read in Canada as a battle waged and won, the Toronto Star writes, even though it does not settle the trade dispute between the two countries.
Why it matters
The Toronto Star frames the outcome as significant for Ottawa: when the new members of Congress are sworn in and seated in January, Trump will face a legislature where Democrats hold the majority and oppose most of his agenda.
The paper describes Ottawa as likely to welcome the result, while cautioning that an end to the trade war is not assured — at least not yet.
A campaign message that crossed the border
The Toronto Star characterizes Canada's role not as election interference — a charge the U.S. has levelled in other contexts — but as an information campaign launched from north of the border whose message clearly found an audience.
The paper notes that for two years, Americans have been told that Canada is "ripping us off," a phrase associated with Trump's public statements. According to the Toronto Star's account, voters responded by electing Democrats who ran against the tariff approach.
Other Canadian outlets drew similar conclusions. Castanet reported that tariff relief for Canada is not guaranteed following the Democratic sweep. The Spec published an opinion piece by Graeme MacKay arguing that people should not expect the midterm results to repair the relationship between Canada and the United States. Yahoo News Canada described the outcome as a stunning blow to Trump and outlined what Canadians should take from it.
The Globe and Mail, in a business brief, said a new normal is taking shape.
What to watch
The practical effects will become clearer once the newly elected members are seated in January and Congress begins legislating. The Toronto Star's reporting suggests Ottawa can expect a more sympathetic legislature but not necessarily a quick resolution to the trade dispute.
