Canada Deputy PM Quits In Tariff Rift With Trudeau

AFP/APP

Ottawa: Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, resigned on Monday following a public disagreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the handling of US President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.

Her resignation is the first significant dissent within Trudeau’s cabinet and raises questions about his leadership as he faces growing political challenges.

Freeland, 56, cited differences with Trudeau on the approach to managing potential 25% tariffs on Canadian imports from the United States. In her resignation letter, she stated that after weeks of debate, it became clear they had opposing views on how best to navigate the situation.

Freeland, who played a key role in Canada’s trade negotiations with the US and the European Union, emphasized the importance of taking Trump’s tariff threats seriously, warning that it could lead to a “tariff war” with the US.

She also criticized political tactics she deemed costly, such as the recent sales tax holiday, which was seen by some as an attempt to boost the government’s political standing.

The resignation comes as Trudeau’s approval ratings have dropped significantly, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre leading by 20 points in the polls.

Freeland’s departure has intensified scrutiny on Trudeau’s leadership, particularly given her role as a key cabinet member and a potential successor. Despite this, Trudeau has expressed his intention to lead the Liberals into the next election, which is expected in 2025.

Political analysts view Freeland’s resignation as a critical blow to Trudeau, with some experts suggesting that it could signal a broader crisis within his government.