Justin Trudeau – Latest: Trump Says ‘many In Canada Love Being 51st State’ After PM Announces Resignation

Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime minister

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader. He will remain as Canadian prime minister until the party has chosen a successor.

It’s the end of a nine-year stint in office, as pressure grew from within his Liberal Party which is trailing significantly behind the opposition Conservatives in the polls.

Trudeau made the announcement from his Rideau Cottage residence.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said Monday. “This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

A row broke out inside Trudeau’s party after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on the country.

Trump pressed on with his taunts referring to Canada as the 51st state following the announcement.

“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unexpectedly stepped down in mid-December, citing differences with Trudeau on how to approach Trump’s presidency and tariff proposals.

Canada is due to hold a general election on or before 20 October.

WATCH: Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime ministerJustin Trudeau resigns as Canadian prime ministerGustaf Kilander7 January 2025 05:00

Trudeau calls Chrystia Freeland ‘an incredible political partner’Justin Trudeau commented on the departure of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland last month.

“She has been an incredible political partner through just about everything we have done as a government and as a party over the past decade,” he said Monday. “I had really hoped that she would agree to continue as my deputy prime minister and take on one of the most important files that not just this government but this country is facing, but she chose otherwise.”

“In regards to what actually happened, I am not someone who’s in the habit of sharing private conversations,” he added.

Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland speak at a press conference to announce the new trade pact with Canada, the United States, and Mexico in Ottawa, October 1, 2018 (AFP via Getty Images)Gustaf Kilander7 January 2025 04:00

What happens now that Justin Trudeau has resigned?“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau said on Monday.

Now, the Liberal Party will decide on its next leader by holding a contest to decide who will succeed Trudeau. Until they do so, Trudeau will remain prime minister.

Ariana Baio7 January 2025 03:00

Trudeau announces resignation speech at Rideau CottageJustin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday.

“Last night, over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I sharing with you today,” he said.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” he added. “Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I am having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election.”

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation as Liberal leader and prime minister outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 (AP)Gustaf Kilander7 January 2025 02:00

Trudeau: ‘I’ve fought for this country’Justin Trudeau took to the podium Monday, saying “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I’ve been inspired by the resilience, the generosity and the determination of Canadians.”

He added: “It is the driving force of every single day I have the privilege of serving in this office, that is why, since 2015 I’ve fought for this country, for you, to strengthen and grow the middle class, why we rallied to support each other through the pandemic, to advance reconciliation, to defend free trade on this continent, to stand strong with Ukraine and our democracy and to fight climate change and get our economy ready for the future.”

“We are at a critical moment in the world,” he argued.

Gustaf Kilander7 January 2025 01:00

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepping down as party leader after nearly 10 years in officeJustin Trudeau said Monday that he will step down as prime minister of Canada, after weeks of mounting pressure from within his ruling Liberal Party about how to deal with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump and trade tariffs he has promised.

“Throughout the course of my career, any success I have personally achieved has been because of their support and with their encouragement,” Trudeau said.

“So last night over dinner, I told my kids about the decision that I’m sharing with you today. I intend to resign as party leader as prime minister after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process.”

Rachel Clun, Rhian Lubin Monday7 January 2025 00:15

Justin Trudeau: Photo collection

Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoire, son Xavier and daughter Ella-Grace react after he was named the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada in Ottawa, Canada April 14, 2013 (REUTERS)

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receives a COVID-19 booster shot in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada November 4, 2024 (REUTERS)

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talk prior to a NATO round table meeting at The Grove hotel and resort in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, Dec. 4, 2019 (AP)

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau makes his way to the stage with wife Sophie Gregoire at the Liberal party headquarters in Montreal on Oct. 20, 2015 (AP)Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 23:30

Justin Trudeau’s resignation speech blows away seconds before announcementCanada’s Prime Minister was forced to resign off the cuff after his notes blew away seconds before his planned resignation announcement on Monday.

“I’ll wing it,” Justin Trudeau said, as he watched his notes fly from the lectern standing outside his residence in Ottawa.

Trudeau announced he would be stepping down as prime minister, and leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, after nearly ten years in power.

A row had broken out inside Trudeau’s party after US President-elect Donald Trump announced a proposal to introduce 25 percent tariffs on Canada.

Justin Trudeau’s resignation speech blows away seconds before announcementCaspar Barnes6 January 2025 22:45

Why Justin Trudeau resigned after nine years as Canadian Prime MinisterFacing low approval ratings in part due to the cost of living crisis, signs were mounting that Canadians had lost faith in the Liberal Party, which Trudeau has led as prime minister since 2015.

But internal confidence plummeted in mid-December, when Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and head of finance, unexpectedly resigned citing disagreements over the handling of Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs on the country – an issue that could damage the economy.

Ariana Baio6 January 2025 22:00

Possible successors: Dominic LeBlancThe minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs is one of Trudeau’s closest allies. During times of disorder, he has been entrusted with politically difficult responsibilities.

Having been in parliament for more than 20 years, he previously ran to be the leader of the Liberal Party in 2008, but at the time, Michael Ignatieff came out victorious.

Dominic LeBlanc speaks during a press conference in Ottawa, Canada on October 26, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)Gustaf Kilander6 January 2025 21:30