The Liberals are anticipated to secure more seats in the 343-member Parliament than the Conservatives, although it remains uncertain if they will achieve an outright majority, which would allow them to pass legislation independently.

The Liberals appeared on course for a significant defeat until the American president began targeting Canada’s economy and challenging its sovereignty, hinting at the notion of it becoming the 51st state.

“He appeals to the same sense of grievance,” Canadian historian Robert Bothwell said of the Conservative leader.

“It’s like Trump standing there saying, ‘I am your retribution.’”

“The Liberals ought to pay him,” Bothwell added, referring to the American president.

“Trump talking is not good for the Conservatives.”

Foreign policy hadn’t dominated a Canadian election as much since 1988 when, ironically, free trade with the United States was the prevailing issue.

Big challenges await the Liberals

Carney and the Liberals cleared a big hurdle in winning a fourth-straight term, but they have daunting tasks ahead.

In addition to the sweeping US tariffs on Canadian goods, Canada has been dealing with a cost-of-living crisis for some time.

And more than 75 per cent of its exports go to the US, so Trump’s tariffs threat and his desire to get North American automakers to move Canada’s production south could severely damage the Canadian economy.