Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation this week amid growing pressure from his own party’s lawmakers, just weeks before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to impose steep tariffs on all imports from the country.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves Parliament Hill after attending a cabinet meeting in … [+] Ottawa, Canada.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
According to the Globe and Mail, which first reported the matter, citing unnamed Canadian Liberal Party sources, Trudeau could announce the decision as early as Monday, ahead of his party’s national caucus meeting on Wednesday.
Trudeau reportedly wants to make the announcement before the meeting to avoid it looking like he was forced out by his party’s lawmakers—many of whom have called for him both publicly and privately to resign.
Trudeau’s government was dealt a blow last month when his Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland publicly announced her resignation in a letter criticizing the prime minister.
Calls for Trudeau’s resignation have grown since Freeland’s exit, but the Canadian premier has largely remained out of the public spotlight during the holidays.
Trudeau’s exit is likely to trigger a leadership battle within the Liberal Party-led government, just weeks before Trump is set to take office and potentially follow through with his tariff threats.
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When Is The Next Canadian Election And Who Is Tipped To Win?
The Canadian Parliament’s present term is set to end later this year and an election must take place before October 20, 2025. A recent poll conducted by Ipsos after Freeland’s showed the Conservatives had a massive 25-point lead over Trudeau’s liberals, with their support at 45%. The polls showed 39% of Canadians believed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is best equipped to deal with Trump, while only 14% said the same for Trudeau.
What Has Trump Said About Trudeau?
Trudeau and his aides met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in November, in a meeting the president-elect described as “very productive.” At the time, Trump said he also discussed “Fair Trade Deals that do not jeopardize American Workers, and [address] the massive Trade Deficit the U.S. has with Canada.” Shortly after the meeting, Fox News reported Trump suggested to Trudeau that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state if he felt the incoming administration’s planned tariffs would hurt Canada’s economy. A few weeks later, Trudeau spoke about the tariffs and said people in America were “beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive.” Trump quickly responded to the comments with a post on his Truth Social platform mocking the Canadian leader, which said: “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” Trump added he looks forward to “seeing the Governor again soon, so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!”
Further Reading
Trudeau expected to announce exit as party leader before national caucus meeting Wednesday (The Globe and Mail)
Justin Trudeau expected to announce resignation as early as Monday (Toronto Star)
