Canada has asked its diplomats in the US to stay away from people running in the midterms, according to Politico and Bloomberg. Bloomberg's report ran in the National Post and The Japan Times.

Global Affairs Canada sent the written rules on Tuesday, Politico and Bloomberg reported. They last until the vote on November 3.

Staff may not meet with midterm candidates unless they get special permission, Bloomberg reported. They may not even be in the same room, Bloomberg said, citing people who know about the memo. That covers all House races and a third of the Senate.

Staff must also stay out of photos with any elected US officials, Politico and Bloomberg said. The memo called the steps a "very risk-averse approach," Bloomberg reported. Nearly 500 Canadian diplomatic staff work in the US.

A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said this is the norm when a host country holds a vote. Officials are "always instructed to limit public events," the spokesperson said, according to Politico.

A day after the rules went out, the US Embassy in Ottawa accused Canadian leaders of trying to sway the vote, Politico and Bloomberg reported. Canada says that is not true, Politico said.

The embassy posted a "fact sheet" that quoted Canadian politicians, Bloomberg reported. "Americans decide America's elections," the embassy said, according to Bloomberg.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford pushed back. "I have no interest at all in interfering in American elections," he said, according to Politico and Bloomberg. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the White House started the trade war, Bloomberg reported. He said Canada is only responding.

Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods are an issue in states such as Maine and Michigan, Bloomberg said. Formal trade talks have not resumed, Bloomberg reported.

What we know: Canadian diplomats must avoid US midterm candidates until November 3.
What we don't: Whether the rules will ease tensions with the Trump administration.