Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal Party leader comes just two weeks before President Donald Trump takes office, threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports on his first day in office.
Prime Minister Trudeau has said he will remain in office until a successor is found, raising the possibility of a lame duck at the top of the government as Canada imposes heavy tariffs on exports from its largest trading partner. .
Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation leaves Canada and its economy vulnerable to any policies President Trump seeks to impose, said Xavier Delgado, senior program associate at the Wilson Center Canada Research Institute in Washington, D.C. say.
“It’s a remarkable time for the prime minister to announce his resignation,” Delgado said in an interview with CBC News on Monday. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense given the relationship between Canada and the United States.”
President Trump responded to Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation with the following post: true social platform.
“Many people in Canada want to be the 51st state. The United States cannot continue to suffer from the huge trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to survive,” Trump said in the post. “We can’t. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knew this and resigned.”
“If Canada were to merge with the United States, there would be no tariffs, much lower taxes, and complete protection from the constant threat of Russian and Chinese ships surrounding us. What a great country we would be together. ”!!!” Trump continued.
Prime Minister Trudeau emphasizes the need to ‘stand up for Canadians’
Prime Minister Trudeau’s decision to resign raises questions about how the government will handle negotiations with the Trump administration.
“By announcing his resignation, Trudeau effectively becomes a lame duck prime minister,” Delgado said. “Given the fact that people here in Washington know he won’t be around much longer, he has no real mission.”
At a news conference outside Rideau Cottage, Trudeau was asked how the government could protect Canada from the threat of tariffs if key ministers become obsessed with leadership battles.
“The government and cabinet will remain very focused on doing the job Canadians elected us to do in 2021, which is to fight for Canada’s interests, stand up for their welfare, and fight for their well-being. It’s about making sure Canadians are protected and strong,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.
“I can assure you that the means and need to stand up for Canadians, protect Canadians’ interests and continue to fight for our economy is a singular focus of everyone in this government.”
Prime Minister Trudeau did not directly answer questions about whether Liberal leadership candidates should resign during the election period.
Several ministers working on the Canada-U.S. file are considered potential leaders, including Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominique Leblanc.
The two visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in late December and met with two of the president-elect’s Cabinet nominees, saying Trump wanted Canada to improve border security if it wanted to avoid lower tariffs. He explained Ottawa’s plans to do so.
