Trump claims he'd 'rather deal with a liberal than a conservative' in Ottawa
But the U.S. president also says 'I don't care' who leads next Canadian government
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he wouldn't mind if the Liberal Party won the upcoming Canadian election, saying: "I'd rather deal with a liberal than a conservative."
Trump has taken a tough stance toward Canada, imposing tariffs on Canadian imports and repeatedly threatening to make it the 51st U.S. state.
During an interview on Fox News's The Ingraham Angle, host Laura Ingraham pointed out that Trump's treatment of Canada could propel the governing Liberals to win the next election and lead a government that's hostile to the U.S.
"I don't care," Trump responded. "I think it's easier to deal, actually, with a liberal and maybe they're going to win, but I don't really care. It doesn't matter to me at all."
Trump then took aim at Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre.
"The conservative that's running is, stupidly, no friend of mine. I don't know him, but he said negative things," he said. "When he says negative things, I couldn't care less."
These followed prior comments Trump has made about the Conservative leader, including an assertion that Poilievre is "not a MAGA guy."
The Liberals, who have been in power since Justin Trudeau was elected prime minister in 2015, just weeks ago looked headed toward certain defeat to the Conservatives in an election that must be held by Oct. 20 and may happen earlier.
But the party is mounting a major comeback with a new leader — the recently sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Some recent opinion polls have shown the Liberals closing the gap or even ahead of the Conservatives.
The Liberals have portrayed Poilievre as a right-wing populist in the same vein as Trump.
Poilievre has adopted the slogan "Canada First" in the face of U.S. threats, and sought to tie Carney to the former Trudeau government.
He responded to the comments in a post on X saying Carney "is weak and would cave to Trump's demands," insisting "Canadians ... want a strong prime minister who will put Canada first."
"Last night, President Donald Trump endorsed Mark Carney. Why?" asked Poilievre. "Because, as Trump said, he's 'easier' to deal with, and knows that I will be a tough negotiator and always put Canada First."
The Liberal Party of Canada didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
With files from CBC News