Support for leftist leaders in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom has seen a notable increase since Donald Trump took office. His economic policies, especially the tariffs he imposed on various countries, are playing a significant role in this shift. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s actions have unexpectedly revived the fortunes of liberal leaders who were previously facing tough electoral battles.
In Canada, the ruling Liberal Party, which seemed to be losing ground, has made a surprising comeback. Just months ago, the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, had a commanding lead of over 20 points in the polls. However, following Trump’s tariff announcements and his controversial remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st state, the political landscape has changed. Now, the Liberals are ahead by about 4 points as Canadians prepare to vote on Monday.
Australia is also experiencing a shift. Left-leaning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has gained significant ground in the polls, now leading by more than 10 points against his conservative rival, Peter Dutton. This change comes as Australians express growing distrust in the U.S. government, with a recent Lowy Institute poll showing that only 36% of Australians trust the U.S. to act responsibly, a drop from 56% the previous year.
In the United Kingdom, the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is still struggling with its approval ratings, sitting at just 29%. However, this is an improvement of 8 points since February. Starmer’s meeting with Trump at the White House earlier this year, where they discussed tariffs and the situation in Ukraine, seems to have helped his standing. Still, a recent Ipsos poll revealed that only 30% of Britons believe in a "special relationship" with the U.S., a significant decline.
As elections approach, conservative leaders in Canada and Australia are trying to adjust to the impact of Trump’s policies. Poilievre has adopted a "Canada First" message, echoing Trump’s "America First" slogan. However, he has also distanced himself from Trump by criticizing the tariffs, calling them a "historic mistreatment of Canada." This strategy appears to be working, as recent polls show the Conservative Party is narrowing the gap with the Liberals, from a 5.6-point deficit to just 3.6 points.
In Australia, Dutton has proposed policies similar to Trump’s, including drastic cuts to government spending. Yet, he has pushed back against comparisons to Trump, suggesting they are used to undermine him, stating that the government struggles to communicate its achievements.
As these countries head toward their elections, the influence of Trump’s presidency continues to shape political dynamics, providing unexpected opportunities for leftist leaders amid changing public sentiments.