washington –
Americans anxiously watched Tuesday’s election results as vote counting continued into the night in a handful of key battleground states, revealing a deeply divided nation. .
Former President Donald Trump carried the battleground state of North Carolina, sending a warning signal to Democrats who remain hopeful that Vice President Kamala Harris can carry Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
“If I had been asked sooner, I would have said I was cautiously optimistic. I think I became even more anxious as I saw the numbers come in,” he said, adding that each time Trump showed an advantage, the audience was disappointed. Alessia Stewart said at a watch party in Washington where voices echoed. “But I’m still trying to remain optimistic.”
Harris’ campaign chair sent a memo to staff late Tuesday saying Midwestern “blue wall” states are the “clearest path” to victory for Democrats and are prepared to continue counting votes into Wednesday morning. said.
Even as the chaotic presidential campaign reached its peak, many Americans remained torn between anxiety and excitement. Bars across the nation’s capital were packed with people watching the results being announced.
At the Union Pub near the Capitol, election specials included the Dirty Waltz, made with Mountain Dew, vodka and grenadine, and They’re Drinking the Cats, a mix of whiskey and sour served in a cat straw.
Some businesses have already boarded up their windows and a security fence has been erected outside the White House, with some visitors to the famous building nervous about possible election day violence. There is.
“No matter what happens in the election, I have confidence in America,” Tennessee native Randy Beard said in Washington on Tuesday afternoon.
Although Harris and Trump offer very different visions for the future, polls suggest they remain in a close race as millions of Americans cast their votes.
Mr. Trump held a watch party at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where members of his party cheered every time it was announced that the Republican had a lead over Ms. Harris.
Harris was gathered with supporters at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington.
Howard students gathered in the campus gymnasium for a viewing party filled with music and dancing. As early results started coming in, spirits remained high despite the uncertain results.
Thiet Mana, 20, who attended the party, said: “I’m very excited and nervous, but I think it’s going to happen.”
Our shared history and 8,891 kilometers of border will not protect Canada from the election results. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, said: “Every election in the United States is important and impactful to us.”
“They are central to our economic prosperity. They are important security partners.”
Hillman has been traveling around the country meeting with key members of the Republican and Democratic teams to prepare for any outcome. On election night, after finishing her duties at the embassy, she planned to watch the results with her husband and friends.
Hillman is acutely aware of the enormous risks to Canada.
“Whoever is sitting in the Oval Office and sitting in Parliament is making decisions that can impact Canada. It’s decisions that give us an opportunity,” Hillman said. “This is a decision that poses challenges for us.” “The job is to be prepared for both.”
Both candidates have proposed protectionist policies, but experts warn that a victory for Republican leaders could make relations between the neighbors even more difficult.
“Trump and some of the key figures around him, including (former trade representative) Robert Lighthizer, really want to stick with Canada,” said Fenn Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. “There is,” he said.
The first Trump administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to American whims when the former president abandoned the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Negotiations for the successor Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement have become an important test for Ottawa following President Trump’s victory. Whoever takes over the White House this time will be in charge of the deal when it is reviewed in 2026.
Of concern in Canada and around the world is President Trump’s proposed 10% across-the-board tariffs. A Canadian Chamber of Commerce report suggests that these tariffs would shrink Canada’s economy, resulting in an annual economic cost of about $30 billion.
American economists have warned that President Trump’s plan could cause inflation and even a recession, which would almost certainly spill over into Canada. More than 77 per cent of Canada’s exports go to the United States, and trade accounts for 60 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product.
“When the U.S. economy is growing, it’s generally good for us,” Hampson said. “If they go deeper under President Trump, it will have a ripple effect on us in addition to the tariffs.”
The election results could also redefine America’s role in the world. President Trump has been critical of Ukraine’s support for the war against Russia, attacked the United Nations, and repeatedly said he would not defend NATO members who do not meet their defense spending targets, something Canada has not done. I have no intention of doing so in the future. year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged to meet his goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense by 2032.
During President Trump’s first term in office, Republican leaders withdrew from the Paris Agreement, the international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases.
Hampson said Republican pressure on international organizations and treaties will have “significant implications” not only for Canada, but also for key allies and the world order itself.
A Harris victory is widely expected to lead to a more normal relationship based on established patterns and rules, but that does not necessarily mean smooth sailing for Canada.
The vice president is expected to follow the path set by President Joe Biden on foreign policy and trade with Canada.
Biden signed an executive order revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have transferred oil from Alberta to Nebraska. The administration’s “Buy America” procurement rules also raised concerns in Canada.
Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said she expects the Harris government to continue its nationalist and protectionist policies.
On the campaign trail, Harris talked about the fact that she voted against the trilateral trade agreement and said she would bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.
It’s a great slogan and bumper sticker, Dawson said. “But if you’re Canadian, it’s terrible.”
Dawson told Prime Minister Trudeau’s team at a cabinet dinner in August that whoever is the next president, Canada needs to do more to maintain the existing benefits of integrated trade and travel. I warned you.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2024.
— With files from The Associated Press
