Carney's win represented a repudiation of Trump's volley of threats to annex Canada and make it the "51st state." That rhetoric – along with punishing tariffs on Canadian goods – has sparked an unprecedented wave of Canadian nationalism and overturned years of stability between the two neighbors.

The U.S. president’s 51st-state rhetoric and trade war bolstered Canada’s left, but the ultimate responsibility for the country’s direction lies with its own voters.