Whatever the case, one thing was clear: Mr. Trump is not giving up on his obsession with Canada, and the new government that emerges from Monday’s vote will need to deal with a leader intent on both hurting Canada’s economy with tariffs, and coveting its vast resources.

Canada's ruling Liberals held on to power in an election on Monday, but fell short of the majority government Prime Minister Mark Carney wanted to help him negotiate over tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump.