Millions of Americans are heading to the polls Tuesday as a chaotic presidential campaign reaches its peak in a deeply divided United States, where voters in only a handful of battleground states will choose the country91裸聊视频檚 path forward.

Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have presented starkly different visions for America91裸聊视频檚 future, but polling shows the two remain in a dead heat.

91裸聊视频淎ny election in the U.S. is important and impactful for us,91裸聊视频� said Kirsten Hillman, Canada91裸聊视频檚 ambassador to the United States. 91裸聊视频淭hey are central to our economic prosperity. They are a vital security partner.91裸聊视频�

Hillman has been travelling across America meeting with key members of the Republican and Democrat teams to prepare for any outcome. On election night, after her embassy duties are finished, she91裸聊视频檒l be watching the results with her husband and friends 91裸聊视频� and said she91裸聊视频檚 leaning toward ordering pizza.

While the gathering with loved ones may bring solace amid the anxious anticipation, Hillman knows more than anyone the immense stakes at play for Canada.

91裸聊视频淲hoever is sitting in the Oval Office and populating Congress is making decisions that may affect Canada, either decisions that provide us with opportunities or decisions that pose challenges for us,91裸聊视频� Hillman said. 91裸聊视频淭he job is to be ready for both.91裸聊视频�

A shared history and 8,891-kilometre border will not shield Canada from the election91裸聊视频檚 outcome. Both candidates have proposed protectionist policies, but experts warn if the Republican leader prevails the relationship between the neighbours could be much more difficult.

91裸聊视频淭rump and some of the key people around him, including (former trade representative) Robert Lighthizer, really want to stick it to Canada,91裸聊视频� said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa.

Trump91裸聊视频檚 first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America91裸聊视频檚 whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Negotiating its successor, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, was a key test for Ottawa after Trump91裸聊视频檚 victory. Whoever takes over the White House this time will be in charge during the agreement91裸聊视频檚 review in 2026.

A cause for concern in Canada and around the world is Trump91裸聊视频檚 proposed 10 per cent across-the-board tariff. A Canadian Chamber of Commerce report suggests those tariffs would shrink the Canadian economy, resulting in around $30 billion per year in economic costs.

American economists warned Trump91裸聊视频檚 plan could cause inflation, and possibly a recession, which would almost certainly have ripple effects in Canada. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S and trade comprises 60 per cent of Canada91裸聊视频檚 gross domestic product.

91裸聊视频淲hen the American economy is growing, it91裸聊视频檚 generally good for us,91裸聊视频� Hampson said. 91裸聊视频淚f they take a deep dive under Trump 91裸聊视频� that will have a knock-on effect on us, on top of tariffs.91裸聊视频�

The election outcome could also redefine America91裸聊视频檚 role in the world. Trump is critical of giving aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia, has attacked the United Nations and repeatedly claimed he would not defend NATO members that don91裸聊视频檛 meet defence spending targets 91裸聊视频� something Canada is not doing, and won91裸聊视频檛 for years.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to meet the target of spending the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2032.

Trump91裸聊视频檚 first tenure also saw the Republican leader withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty to cut greenhouse gases.

Hampson said the Republicans91裸聊视频� push against international institutions and treaties will have 91裸聊视频渁 profound impact91裸聊视频� on Canada, but also key allies and the world order itself.

If Harris wins, it91裸聊视频檚 widely expected that there will be more normal relations based on established patterns and rules, but it does not necessarily mean smooth sailing for Canada.

It91裸聊视频檚 expected the vice-president would follow the path laid by President Joe Biden on foreign policy and trade with Canada.

Biden signed an executive order to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have transferred oil from Alberta to Nebraska. The administration91裸聊视频檚 Buy America procurement rules also caused concern in Canada.

Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said she expects a Harris administration would continue nationalist and protectionist policies.

Harris has spoken on the campaign trail about the fact that she voted against the trilateral trade agreement and said she will return manufacturing jobs to the U.S.

It91裸聊视频檚 a great slogan and bumper sticker, Dawson said, 91裸聊视频渂ut it91裸聊视频檚 terrible if you are Canada.91裸聊视频�

Dawson warned Trudeau91裸聊视频檚 team during a cabinet retreat in August that no matter who is the next president, Canada will have to work harder to maintain existing benefits of integrated trade and travel.

Meanwhile, many Americans are caught between anxiety and excitement. Sixteen-year-old Gavin Kupcho attended his first Trump rally in Wisconsin last week.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e never felt more enthused in my life,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 need lower gas prices since I just got my licence.91裸聊视频�

The situation feels more dire for Antonio White, who travelled from Miami to Milwaukee to knock on doors for Harris in the crucial battleground state. The 63-year-old said America is at a critical point 91裸聊视频渨here people are no longer recognizing fascism when they see it.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭his is an election we must win for the sanctity of everybody, for the country itself,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淒emocracy is on the ballot this time.91裸聊视频�