MONTREAL: Canadian leaders campaigned in battleground districts Saturday, two days before an election electrified by US President Donald Trump's threats, with Prime Minister Mark Carney favored after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Canada would “cease to exist” if it weren’t for the United States — comments that came just days before Canadians are set to vote in an election dominated by Trump’s remarks on the country’s economy and sovereignty.

While the trade battle is very real, the annexation talk has been largely dismissed as typical Trump bluster, a threat meant to throw allies and enemies off their game. There is n