Democrats Win Congress in the 2026 Midterms: What It Means for Canada
The United States held its midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. By Wednesday morning, major news outlets reported that Democrats will take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Associated Press (AP) and major U.S. networks made the race calls, according to NetNewsLedger. Also, CBS News projected that Democrats would win both chambers.
However, some races are still not called. So, the final seat totals may still change over the next few days. For Canadians, the big question is simple. Will this change anything for tariffs and trade?
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What Happened on Election Night
Results came in late on Tuesday night. First, CBS News projected that Democrats would gain control of the Senate. Later, CBS News also projected a Democratic win in the House. At that time, dozens of House races were still being counted, CBS News reported.
One closely watched race was in Maine, right next to New Brunswick. There, Democrat Troy Jackson unseated Republican Senator Susan Collins, The Canadian Press reported. Both candidates had said the trade war hurt Maine and that tariffs should go.
Keep in mind that race calls are projections. They are based on results from election officials, but they are not the final, certified count, NetNewsLedger noted.
What Leaders Are Saying
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke after the projections. “Against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate,” he said, according to CBS News. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said, “We’ll work with the Democrats,” CBS News reported.
In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke about trade talks with the U.S. while at a meeting of Commonwealth leaders. “They’re asking less and they’re offering more, but we’re not quite there,” he said, according to CTV News.
Democrats Win Congress: Key Details
- Election day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- House: AP and major networks called it for Democrats
- Senate: Democrats are projected to hold the majority
- Still open: Some races have not been called yet
- Start date: The new Congress takes office on January 3, 2027
- Tariffs: Congress cannot cancel tariffs set by the president on its own
What the Democrats Win in Congress Means for Canada
Many Canadians are watching this result closely. That is because U.S. tariffs have hit Canadian businesses, farmers and workers over the past year.
Still, experts say tariff relief is not a sure thing. Trump still has the powers he used to set the tariffs, The Canadian Press reported. In addition, the president can veto bills that Congress passes, CTV News reported.
James Blanchard, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada, sees some hope. “Earlier this year, (Congress) actually passed a resolution condemning the tariffs on Canada,” he told CTV News. On the other hand, Donald Wright, a political science professor at the University of New Brunswick, raised a concern. “A vindictive president might want to hurt Maine … he could re-implement some of the tariffs that he lifted,” he told The Canadian Press.
Even so, a Democratic Congress could give Canada new friends in Washington. For example, lawmakers from border states where tariffs hurt local factories and farms may push for change, NetNewsLedger reported.
What Happens Next
First, election officials will keep counting votes in races that are still open. Then, the final seat totals should become clear in the coming days. After that, the new Congress will take office on January 3, 2027.
For Canada, the next big moments are close to home. The federal budget is due on Thursday, CTV News reported. Also, trade talks between Ottawa and Washington are still going. So, keep an eye on news from both capitals in the weeks ahead.
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