Canada's Deputy Prime Minister's resignation threatens Trudeau's continued tenure as PM

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from the government on Monday. Freeland, who had the country's finances under her charge, is said to be in complete disagreement with Trudeau over what stance to take on the impending tariff increases that Donald Trump has announced for Canadian goods.

Freeland's resignation has deepened a growing political crisis in Canada, after polls showed Trudeau's popularity ratings were at an all-time low, as well as handing the keys to the government over to the Conservatives in the polls.

According to Freeland, her resignation may have been motivated in the first place by Trudeau himself, who is said to have asked her to leave the Ministry of Finance and take on other responsibilities. This was confirmed by Freeland herself.

Freeland released a brief statement in which she assured that she and Trudeau disagree "on the best way forward for Canada." She added that Canada faces a "big challenge" ahead. Canada's largest trading partner is the United States as the destination for 75% of its total exports.

"Our country faces a big challenge today. The new US administration is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism," she continued.

"To be effective, a minister must speak for the prime minister and with his full confidence (....) You have made it clear that I no longer credibly have this confidence and that I no longer have the authority that implies," wrote Freeland, who since 2015 has been part of the Trudeau government and its close core.

"That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today so we have the reserves we might need for a future tariff war. That means avoiding costly political gimmicks, which we can't afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment."

Crisis for Trudeau

It is the second major resignation in the administration of the progressive Trudeau, who a month ago also lost his Minister of Employment after deceptions about his ethnic ancestry were discovered.

According to Canadian broadcaster CTV's sources, Prime Minister Trudeau has conveyed to his cabinet that he is considering extension or resignation, and potentially plans to address Parliament as early as Monday.

Other CTV sources claim that a faction within Trudeau's Liberal party has expressed the need for the prime minister to resign. They claim that Trudeau could become a considerable drag on the party heading into the next election.