Trudeau taps out: How Trump’s taunts and tariff threats added to domestic woes confronting Canada’s long-standing PM
After weeks of speculation over his future, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his intention to resign on Jan. 6, 2025.
His departure will bring an end to a decade of power for the progressive politician and once-darling of the liberal left. It follows infighting in his own party and a slump in Trudeau’s popularity to the point where he trails the leading opposition candidate by over 20 percentage points. But it can’t escape notice that the resignation comes just weeks ahead of a Trump administration — and after a barrage of personal slights and threats of punishing tariffs directed at Canada by the incoming Republican president.
The Conversation turned to Patrick James, an expert on Canadian-U.S. relations and Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Relations at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, to explain why Trudeau chose now to bow out — and what role Trump played in his departure.