Canadian election race thrown open by Trump's tariff threat

FILE PHOTO: Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney speaks on the day he announces that he is running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada January 16, 2025. REUTERS/Amber Bracken/File Photo

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Donald Trump has helped upend this year's Canadian election, transforming what looked like an easy win for the official opposition Conservatives into a tighter race that could even end in deadlock.

The right-leaning Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, had enjoyed a double-digit lead for 18 months over the Liberals of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who they accused of breaking Canada after almost a decade in power.