Absolute Disaster for Poilievre

Hi Global Recap readers,

While I was writing yesterday’s email, the Canadian election was just getting started. At the time, people online were feeling pretty confident that the Conservatives would take the lead and put Poilievre in as Canada’s next Prime Minister.

But wow… it looks like things went in the complete opposite direction.

So what does that say about where Canada’s really at? 👇

(Also, a lot of today’s stories seem to circle back to the same issues that came up during the Canadian election.)

🇨🇦 CANADA
Canada's Liberals
Win Minority Government

During his victory speech as Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney promised to defend the nation against US President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade tariffs and sovereignty threats.

No wonder people are calling the Canadian election a referendum on Trump.

As for Conservative leader Poilievre? Let’s just say it wasn’t his night. Critics say he blew it by refusing to take a hard stance on mass immigration and inflation—two issues they think cost him big.

And that’s not even the worst of it—he lost his own seat in Parliament, one he’d held for over two decades.

The Election Drama

So, why do people view the win as a referendum on Canada’s relationship with the US?

• Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, including a 25% duty on steel and aluminum, pushed Canada toward recession.

• Carney’s campaign centered on resisting Trump’s threats to annex Canada as the “51st state.”

• While serving as interim PM, Carney doubled down on the issue—and it likely earned him some serious points in the polls.

Poilievre’s Fall

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre faced a devastating defeat, losing his seat in Carleton after holding it for over 20 years.

• Liberal challenger Bruce Fanjoy unseated Poilievre by 3,800 votes.

• Poilievre was the favorite to win—until Trump’s victory likely shifted the political landscape. After that, he pivoted to focus on tariffs and Canadian sovereignty, a move many now see as a key reason for his loss.

• Images like the one below are making the rounds online, roasting Poilievre for fumbling what should’ve been an easy win.

Carney’s Vision

Carney pledged to make Canada less reliant on the US and strengthen ties with other allies.

• His first trip abroad as prime minister was to Europe, where he discussed deepening economic and security partnerships.

• He promised to “build things in this country again,” including new homes, factories, and energy sources.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Amazon’s Tariff Display Plan

It all started with rumors about Amazon allegedly planning to slap extra costs from Trump’s tariffs right alongside product prices.

That rumor caused quite a stir in Washington—until Amazon stepped in and shut it down as false.

Still, the White House wasn’t exactly subtle in its blowback.

The Rumor Mill

• Punchbowl News cited an “anonymous source,” sparking speculation about Amazon’s intentions.

• Amazon later confirmed that this idea was considered but never approved.

White House Reaction

The Trump administration didn’t mince words, calling the rumored move “a hostile and political act.”

• Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of partnering with “a Chinese propaganda arm.”

• She claimed to have discussed the matter directly with President Trump.

Amazon’s Haul Service

Amazon’s Haul service, launched last year, was at the center of the speculation.

• Haul focuses on selling low-cost products under $20, competing with Chinese rivals like Temu and Shein.

• This is the service that briefly considered listing tariff costs but ultimately decided against it.

Economic Implications

The tariffs imposed by Trump have broader consequences for consumers and businesses.

• Economists warn of increased prices and inflationary pressures (initially) due to import taxes.

• Companies like Temu and Shein have already raised prices in response to these tariffs.

📊 Poll

That said, opinions are all over the place on Amazon’s now-scrapped idea to show tariffs next to prices.

• Some argue it’s no different than listing shipping fees—pretty standard stuff.

• Others, echoing Leavitt, claim it’s a politically charged move by a company allegedly cozy with the CCP.

🇸🇪 SWEDEN
Mass Shooting

A tragic shooting in Uppsala, Sweden, has left three people dead, sparking a murder investigation and raising concerns about gang-related violence in the region.

But the conversation isn’t just about what’s happening locally—it’s tied to big-picture, global issues like mass immigration.

The Incident

The shooting occurred in Uppsala’s city center on April 29, 2025, during Walpurgis Night celebrations.

• Witnesses reported hearing five gunshots and saw people running for cover.

• Police confirmed the deaths and are treating the case as a homicide.

The Escape

An electric scooter might hold the key to the investigation.

• A person was seen leaving the scene on a scooter, but their role—whether as a perpetrator, witness, or someone connected—is unclear.

• Scooters have been used in previous gang-related shootings in Sweden.

• Yes, this means the perpetrator is still at large.

What People Are Saying

From what I’m seeing online, three main takes keep popping up:

Gang Violence

Gang violence has plagued Sweden for over a decade, with Uppsala being no stranger to such incidents.

• Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer called the act “extremely serious” and assured close monitoring of the case.

• Sweden’s government has tightened laws and expanded police powers to combat gang violence.

• In February, Sweden witnessed its deadliest mass shooting in Orebro, where ten people were killed.

Mass Immigration

Naturally, you can’t ignore the pushback against mass immigration.

• Plenty of critics argue that gang violence and mass shootings in Sweden have surged only since mass immigration took off about 50 to 70 years ago.

• Those who oppose mass immigration say the only real solution is remigration.

• Much like the attitude toward mass immigration in Canada, the details behind the rise in violence might be up for debate, but the fact that people feel this way carries just as much weight.

Gun Control

Gun control is once again front and center in Sweden, especially after such devastating events. The country’s tough firearm laws, which limit ownership mostly to licensed hunters and sport shooters, are being questioned all over again.

• A lot of Americans are jumping on this incident to shut down gun control advocates back home, arguing that people pull the trigger, not guns.

• Their point: Gun laws don’t really stop violence. Instead, they say we should be tackling deeper issues—like mental health, cultural factors, and social breakdowns.

🇲🇹 MALTA
Golden Passport
Program Axed

Heard about Trump’s “Gold Card Visa”? It’s a new immigration plan targeting rich investors—drop $5 million into the US economy, and you’re on the fast track to a green card and, eventually, citizenship.

Malta ran a similar plan back in 2013 called the “golden passport” scheme, but it just got slammed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) as being illegal, calling it nothing more than a cash-for-passports deal that goes against EU law.

What’s the Golden Passport?

Malta’s program fast-tracked citizenship for wealthy foreign investors who met specific financial requirements.

• Applicants needed to own property worth €700,000 ($798,000) or pay annual rent of at least €16,000.

• They also had to make substantial contributions to the Maltese government and donate to NGOs.

• The scheme reportedly brought €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) to Malta since 2015.

Why Did the EU Step In?

The ECJ ruled that selling citizenship undermines the integrity of EU nationality.

• It launched legal proceedings against Malta and Cyprus in October 2020 for “selling EU citizenship.”

• The court stated that citizenship cannot be exchanged for payments or investments.

• Critics argued the program facilitated white-collar crime and sanctions evasion.

• Transparency advocates hailed the decision as a win for EU residents exposed to money launderers and corrupt criminals.

Malta’s Reaction

The Maltese government said it would respect the ruling but is studying its legal implications.

• Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defended the program, calling the ruling “politically motivated.”

• Muscat suggested reforming the scheme instead of scrapping it entirely.

The Bigger Picture

Malta was the last EU country to have such a program, following Cyprus and Bulgaria’s decisions to end similar schemes.

• Transparency International praised the ruling, saying it prevents other member states from commodifying EU citizenship.

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN
Pakistan Shoots
Down Indian Drone

Pakistan's army said it shot down an Indian spy drone after it breached the "Line of Control" in Kashmir, the de facto border between the two countries.

Drone Incident

• The incident was reported by Pakistan's state-run TV, citing unnamed security officials.

• But this is nothing new. Both India and Pakistan have shot down small drones in the past, often used for surveillance around the border.

Rising Tensions

What really has people on edge is the timing.

The shooting went down just as tensions between India and Pakistan were already spiraling, especially after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which India is blaming on Pakistan.

• Just hours earlier, a top Pakistani defense official warned of the "immediate threat" of war with India, though he said it could still be averted.

• But their conflict over the Kashmir region goes back way further, having fought several major wars since 1947.

Potential for Escalation

Experts warn the situation is extremely volatile, with the next few days seen as crucial to preventing an all-out war.

• China, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are reportedly working to de-escalate the conflict.

• The two countries last came close to war in 2019 after a suicide bombing killed 40 Indian troops, leading to air strikes on both sides.