Trump responds to Trudeau resignation by suggesting Canada merge with U.S.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal Party comes just two weeks before Donald Trump assumes the U.S. presidency, with Trump threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports on his first day in office. Trudeau has stated that he will remain in his role as prime minister until a successor is chosen, raising the possibility of Canada having a "lame duck" leader as its largest trading partner prepares to impose significant tariffs.

David MacNaughton, Canada's former ambassador to the U.S. appointed by Trudeau in 2016, noted that there is now little Trudeau can do to prevent Trump’s tariff threat. "The reality is, today you announce you're stepping down, your power, your influence dissipates almost immediately," MacNaughton explained. He added that Trudeau should have made this decision months ago to better prepare for Trump’s potential return to the White House. "We’re going to have a few months of uncertainty right now ... and in the meantime, Trump is feeling pretty cocky these days."

Xavier Delgado, a senior associate at the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, also expressed concern, calling Trudeau’s resignation "a remarkable time" given the strained Canada-U.S. relations. "It really does not make a lot of sense," he said.

In response to the resignation, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, claiming that many people in Canada "LOVE being the 51st State." He further argued that if Canada were to merge with the U.S., there would be no tariffs, taxes would decrease, and the country would be "TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them."

Trudeau’s decision has raised questions about how the Canadian government will navigate negotiations with the incoming Trump administration, particularly amid the leadership race. Despite his resignation, Trudeau assured that the government would stay focused on protecting Canadian interests and maintaining the economy. "The government and the cabinet will still be very much focused on doing the job Canadians elected us to do in 2021," he emphasized during a news conference. He assured that all members of the government would remain dedicated to protecting Canadians.

Trudeau did not address whether leadership contenders within the Liberal Party would be required to resign their positions during the leadership race. Key cabinet ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, are considered possible contenders and have recently met with Trump’s team to discuss border security, a key concern for Trump.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed concern that Trudeau's resignation came at a critical time, suggesting that his primary focus before stepping down should have been to formulate a plan to avoid Trump's tariffs. Laura Dawson, the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, also criticized the timing, noting that the resignation leaves the government in a caretaker mode and weakens Canada’s ability to respond effectively to emerging issues with the U.S.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, described Trudeau as "a stalwart friend of the United States," highlighting the strong partnership between the two leaders and their collaboration on issues facing both nations.