Canadians are watching closely as the U.S. presidential election unfolds

One of the most extraordinary presidential races is now in the hands of the American people.

After months of back and forth, there still isn’t much difference between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and those watching and waiting for results are likely in for a long, tense evening.

“The policies he (Trump) has implemented have brought tremendous success and increased prosperity,” said Paul James Jr., a Republican voter in San Antonio, Texas.

“Women in leadership are a very powerful and positive thing,” said Kari Holmes, a Democratic voter in Lehigh Valley, Penn.

These are the first 270 votes of the electoral college.

The result essentially rests on seven battlegrounds.

State election officials in those areas say voting went smoothly for the most part.

Many Americans hope this will remain the case.

“I’m worried it’s getting a little wild and out of control,” said one person in Las Vegas.

“I hope people can accept what is happening and move on,” said another.

Trump says he trusts his base to obey the law.

“I don’t have to tell them there will be no violence. Of course there will be no violence. My supporters are not violent people,” he told media in Palm Beach, Florida.

Harris has spent much of the final days of the campaign in all-important Pennsylvania, as has Trump.

“If you give me the opportunity to fight on your behalf as president, there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way,” Harris said.

Canadians are watching it closely.

“Both candidates have agendas that will impact the Canadian economy,” said Deborah Yedlin of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“If I had to weigh them, I think there is a bigger concern if Donald Trump wins because of his commitment to implementing tariffs.”

Business leaders here worry about the economic impact of a Trump victory.

Some estimate that his promise of 10 percent tariffs on U.S. imports could increase inflation in Canada by as much as 1.7 percent.

“Let’s do the math. A 10 percent tariff, if it includes energy, is a $16 billion hit from a GDP perspective. We don’t need that,” Yedlin said.

The FBI says they are ready to tackle the tough issues Canada will face regardless of the outcome of the vote.

“We have been preparing for this for three months through our diplomatic network in the US and around the world,” Federal Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said.