Highlights
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to resign this week under pressure from his party.
- Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation last month intensified calls for Trudeau to step down.
- Trudeau aims to announce his decision before the Liberal Party’s caucus meeting on Wednesday.
- The Conservative Party leads polls with 45% support, compared to the Liberals’ 20%.
- President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports after taking office.
- Trump mocked Trudeau by referring to him as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to announce his resignation this week as pressure mounts from within his Liberal Party. The announcement could come as early as Monday, according to reports by The Globe and Mail.
Trudeau’s decision aims to avoid speculation that he is being forced out ahead of a national caucus meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The timing of Trudeau’s potential exit coincides with heightened tensions between Canada and the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to impose steep tariffs on Canadian imports.
Trudeau’s Struggles Within His Party
Trudeau’s leadership has faced significant challenges, particularly after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s public resignation last month. In her resignation letter, Freeland criticized the prime minister’s policies, a move that ignited calls for Trudeau to step down.
Since then, the Canadian leader has largely remained away from public view, even as discontent within the Liberal Party has grown.
Many lawmakers have voiced their concerns both publicly and privately, urging Trudeau to resign to pave the way for a new leader before upcoming political challenges.
Upcoming Liberal Party Leadership Battle
If Trudeau resigns, his departure is expected to trigger a leadership race within the Liberal Party. The timing is critical, with Canada’s next federal election required before October 20, 2025. Recent polls show the Liberals trailing the opposition Conservative Party by a substantial margin.
According to an Ipsos survey conducted after Freeland’s resignation, the Conservatives hold a 25-point lead, with 45% support compared to the Liberals’ 20%.
Additionally, 39% of Canadians believe Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is better suited to handle trade disputes with Trump’s administration, while only 14% think Trudeau is up to the task.
Trudeau and Trump’s Tense Relationship
Trudeau’s rapport with President-elect Trump has been rocky. Last November, Trudeau met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss trade relations. After the meeting, Trump suggested Canada could become the 51st U.S. state if it found American trade policies too burdensome.
In response to Trump’s proposed tariffs, Trudeau emphasized the economic impact such measures would have on both countries.
However, Trump retaliated with a mocking statement on his Truth Social platform, referring to Trudeau as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.”
Trump’s Proposed Tariffs on Canada
President-elect Trump has promised to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports shortly after taking office. He linked this policy to his broader efforts to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking across U.S. borders.
Trump stated the tariffs would remain until these issues were resolved, framing the move as a defense against what he called a “Caravan invasion” and a crisis of “illegal drugs.”
With Trudeau’s resignation looming, Canada faces uncertainty at a time when its relationship with the U.S. is under immense strain.
A leadership change within the Liberal Party could play a pivotal role in how Canada navigates these challenges in the weeks and months ahead.
