Democrats win U.S. Senate; what it means for Canada

Democrats have won control of the U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reported early Wednesday, a shift that matters to Canada because the Senate confirms U.S. nominees and the new Congress will have a say over the tariffs and trade talks Ottawa is working through with the Trump administration. NBC News also projected that Democrats captured the Senate, and said the party is set to hold the House as well.

For Canada, the immediate effect is limited. NBC reported that the new Congress convenes in January, so the current Republican-led Congress sits until then. As we reported on the House projection, CTV analyst Eric Ham wrote before the vote that Democrats have pledged to rescind President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade authorities, but that overriding a veto would need two-thirds of both chambers, which he called “practically impossible.” CBC noted that Democrats would still need the president’s signature to turn bills into law.

The trade file is already moving. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday in Antigua that Canada and the U.S. have made progress but are “not quite there,” CBC reported, and CTV reported that U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles and parts would rise to 50 per cent if there is no deal by January 2027. Our tariffs guide tracks where those duties stand. We did not find a published Canadian government reaction to the Senate result as of 12:40 a.m. ET.

The AP said Democrats needed a net gain of four seats for a majority and that Vice-President JD Vance can break tie votes. It reported that Democrat Josh Turek defeated Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa, Adam Hamilton ousted Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in Texas, Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham in South Carolina, Sherrod Brown beat Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio and Roy Cooper won an open seat in North Carolina. Sen. Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, and Rep. Chris Pappas won in New Hampshire, the AP reported.

Republicans won Senate seats in Florida, where Sen. Ashley Moody won a special election, and in Wyoming, where Rep. Harriet Hageman won, according to the AP. The AP listed Alaska, Maine and Michigan among the races still outstanding. In Alaska, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit to block certification of the Senate result if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, the AP reported.

NBC reported that with full control of the Senate, Democrats are positioned to block Trump’s nominees, including any Supreme Court nominee. It said Chuck Schumer of New York is expected to return as Senate leader and that Republican Sen. John Thune’s future as leader is unknown.

The AP had not called control of the House as of its update at about 12:40 a.m. ET. It said the chamber remained too early to call and that Democrats had flipped seven seats so far and needed a net gain of three. NBC News projected Democrats will win the House. See our main results story, which we are updating, and our midterms preview. All results are preliminary and could change as votes are counted.

Photo: Supporters of South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews cheer during her election night watch party in Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

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