Canada’s Trudeau resigns following party pressure amid criticisms of Trump, budget handling

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shocked the nation on Monday when he announced his intention to resign as party leader and prime minister. This decision came after mounting pressure from within his own Liberal Party and criticisms over his handling of the economy, as well as threats from President-elect Donald Trump.

During a press conference, Trudeau stated, “I intend to resign as party leader, as Prime Minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process.” He emphasized that Canada deserves a real choice in the next election and that he believes he cannot be the best option in that election if he is having to fight internal battles.

Trudeau, who has led the nation for nearly a decade, has been facing a decline in his approval ratings due to issues like the rising cost of living and inflation. The threat of a Parliamentary vote of no confidence or a lengthy fight to hold onto his position until the October 2025 elections led to his decision to step down.

The departure of Trudeau’s finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, who criticized his handling of economic policies and Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian imports, further fueled calls for his resignation. Freeland warned that how Canada responds to Trump’s threats will define the country for a generation.

Following Freeland’s resignation, Trudeau appointed Dominic LeBlanc as the new finance minister. LeBlanc, a close friend of Trudeau, was seen as a leading contender to take over as the interim prime minister until the elections next fall.

President-elect Donald Trump reacted to Trudeau’s resignation, suggesting that many Canadians would welcome merging with the U.S. to eliminate tariffs and increase security. Trump’s post on TRUTHSocial highlighted the strained relationship between the two leaders and the potential implications of Trudeau’s resignation.

Trudeau’s decision to step down as party leader and prime minister signifies a significant shift in Canadian politics. The Liberal Party will now have the opportunity to select a new leader and potentially regain support ahead of the upcoming elections. Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter for Canada.