Trudeau faces calls to resign amid Trump tariff threats, cabinet conflict

President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threat against Canada sparked a series of events for the nation, including the resignation of its finance minister. Now, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces calls to resign.

Earlier this month, Trump and Trudeau met at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The meeting came after Trump announced a potential 25% tariff on Canada unless it did more to secure the border.

During the meeting, Trudeau told Trump the tariffs would “kill the Canadian economy.” Trump responded that if Canada couldn’t survive, it could “become the 51st state.”

Two weeks later, Trump revived the comment following a shake-up in the Canadian government linked to his tariff threat.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year. Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st state!!!”

Trump tariff threat sets off series of political events in Canada

Although the tariff threat remains just that — a threat, it encouraged Canada’s finance minister to resign.

The minister explained she disagreed with Trudeau’s plan to increase spending on border security to meet Trump’s demands.

Since her resignation, Trudeau has faced backlash from leaders across the country. After nearly a decade in office, members of his own Liberal Party called for him to step down. They cited his handling of the budget and poor polling numbers.

Late-night talk shows mocked the situation in Canada. American TV host Stephen Colbert drew comparisons between the U.S. and Canada’s political climate.

“Trudeau has become very unpopular because Canadians are frustrated by the rising cost of living and immigration. Welcome to the club, deadly do wrong,” Colbert said. “You’re done. You’re burnt. Scoot your freezing keister, meester.”

Trudeau in trouble?

In Canada, the government can hold a “no-confidence vote,” a motion in which Parliament members decide whether they still have confidence in the prime minister. If the prime minister loses the majority vote, they are forced to resign.

However, there have been no indications that a no-confidence vote could be held anytime soon.

We’re stepping up to keep our border strong and secure:

By deploying new helicopters, drones, and surveillance tools.

By adding new scanners and sniffer dog teams to stop and seize fentanyl.

By cracking down on the money laundering that’s funding cross-border crime.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 17, 2024

Trudeau continues to work to avoid Trump’s tariff.

His latest post to X highlighted efforts at the border, which were a key condition for avoiding the 25% tariff.

Trudeau said Canada deployed helicopters, drones, surveillance tools, new scanners and sniffer dog teams to combat fentanyl smuggling at the border.