The announced resignation of the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, was highlighted by Donald Trump, who will become President of the United States again in two weeks, in a manner that is anything but reassuring to the Quebec and Ontario governments worried about the tariffs.
“The United States can no longer support the massive trade deficits and subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew it and resigned,” Mr. Trump wrote, two hours after the announcement of the announced departure of the head of the Canadian government.
The president-elect once again reiterated that he intends to annex Canada to make it the 51st state of the United States, which would provide it with better defense against “the threat of Russian and Chinese ships which constantly surround them.” Such an annexation would end tariffs, he said.
Justin Trudeau announced Monday that he planned to step down as prime minister as soon as the Liberal Party chooses a replacement for him, which could take several weeks. In the meantime, the Canadian Parliament is prorogued until the spring.
The climate of uncertainty caused by this announced departure comes at a time when the country finds itself in a very delicate diplomatic situation with its closest ally, the United States. A transition of power is expected to hand over the reins of the country to President-elect Donald Trump in just two weeks, on January 20.
Mr. Trump is threatening Canada with 25% tariffs on everything entering his country through its northern border. In recent weeks, he has also made a habit of ridiculing Justin Trudeau on his social networks. He calls him “Governor of Canada” and suggested replacing him with former hockey player Wayne Gretzky, among others.
Price anxiety
The Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, highlighted Mr. Trump’s return to power in a message welcoming Justin Trudeau’s commitment on Monday. “We have significant challenges awaiting us, particularly with the arrival of Donald Trump on January 20. I will continue to work with Mr. Trudeau, his successor and the government in place to avoid these tariffs. »
His counterpart in Ontario, Doug Ford, wrote on the social network Between now and his inauguration on January 20, the federal government should do “everything humanly possible to avoid these tariffs,” he asks.
Justin Trudeau shared a Thanksgiving dinner with Mr. Trump at his private Mar-a-Lago club at the end of November. Two of his ministers flew to Florida during the holidays to meet the future president’s entourage. In particular, they were able to speak to Howard Lutnick, the future person responsible for imposing tariffs in the next Trump administration.
Donald Trump remained plugged into Canadian political news for part of the fall, according to his mocking message sent following the resignation of Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland.
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