Canada's Deputy PM resigns over tariff dispute with ‘boss’: Video
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on December 16 after a disagreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over US tariff threats.
Freeland, who also stepped down as finance minister, said in her resignation letter that Canada must take the situation with incoming US President Donald Trump “extremely seriously.”
Freeland’s sudden resignation has shocked Trudeau’s government. She was scheduled to give an update on Canada’s finances but quit hours before.
Trudeau admitted, “It’s not been an easy day,” but urged Liberal Party members to “pull together” during difficult times.
Her resignation comes as Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada. Freeland warned this could lead to a “tariff war” with the United States, Canada’s largest trading partner. Her exit has raised concerns about Trudeau’s leadership, with critics calling it a “crisis of confidence.”
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s public safety minister, has since been sworn in as the new finance minister. He now faces the task of negotiating with Trump’s team to avoid a trade crisis. Despite the tensions, Freeland said she will run for re-election in the next parliamentary vote.
