Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected allegations that Ottawa intends to interfere in the upcoming US midterm elections, criticising Washington’s ambassador for suggesting that Canadian officials were seeking to influence American politics.Speaking to reporters during an official visit to Turkey on Friday, Carney said Canada had no plans to intervene in the November 3 elections and dismissed the accusations as unfounded.“There is no merit to these claims,” he said. “I’m disappointed their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions.”The dispute adds to tensions between the neighbouring countries following the collapse of trade negotiations in August. Canada withdrew from discussions over a potential agreement, citing what it described as unreasonable demands from the US.The US embassy in Canada criticised Ottawa on Wednesday, accusing Canadian officials of brushing aside concerns about election interference while ministers and provincial premiers openly discussed plans to influence American politics.A week earlier, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra had urged Canadians to stay out of US political affairs during a podcast appearance. “Keep your nose out of American politics,” he said.Carney’s comments come as relations remain strained over trade and US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada. Washington has also imposed a series of tariffs on Canadian imports, adding pressure to the economic relationship between the two countries.Asked whether Trump might respond to poor Republican results by imposing additional tariffs on Canada, Carney said he did not believe that was likely.The trade negotiations abandoned in August had included efforts to reduce some of the existing tariffs. Carney said Canada was not under pressure to reach a new agreement and suggested, for the first time, that Ottawa could wait until Trump leaves office to secure a deal.“If it has to be months from now or longer than that, or another administration before a proper deal comes into place, we will do that,” he said.Carney’s visit to Turkey is part of a broader effort to reduce Canada’s economic dependence on the US. The two countries have deep trade ties, but the dispute over tariffs and the future of negotiations has added urgency to Ottawa’s push to diversify its economic relationships.Rejecting the prospect of Canada becoming part of the United States, Carney said his government would continue to pursue an independent course.“It’s absolutely clear where I stand, where Canada stands, where Canadians stand. We will never be the 51st state. We are going our own way,” he said.