Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Announces Resignation Amid Economic Criticisms and Trump Threats
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that he intends to resign as party leader and prime minister, citing pressure from within his own Liberal Party and criticisms over his handling of the economy and threats levied by President-elect Donald Trump.
Trudeau, who led the nation for nearly a decade, has been grappling with sliding approval ratings in recent months due to concerns over the soaring cost of living and rising inflation. The pressure escalated when Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned, criticizing Trudeau’s handling of economic policies and the Trump administration’s threatened tariffs on Canadian imports.
Trudeau said he asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin the process of selecting a new leader, stating that he cannot be the best option for the party if he is busy fighting internal battles.
“I am driven by my love for Canada, by my desire to serve Canadians, and by what is in the best interests of Canadians,” Trudeau said. “And it has become obvious to me that if I’m having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the one to carry the Liberal standard into the next election.”
Trudeau’s resignation means the Liberal Party can appoint an interim prime minister to lead the country until the 2025 elections, giving them a chance to regain support and potentially land a new leader.
President Trump weighed in on Trudeau’s resignation, suggesting that Canada would be better off merging with the United States and that it would be a “great nation” for both countries. He also claimed that many people in Canada would love to be the 51st state.