Trudeau Resigns as Canada’s Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau said on Monday that he will resign as prime minister of Canada, and will leave office once a new ruling-party leader is chosen, according to media reports.

Trudeau, 53, who was leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party, is stepping down after nine years in office. 

His plan to quit comes after his finance minister and deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigned in December over clashes on policy. Those disagreements included what she said were weak handling of President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.

Trump said in November that he plans to levy 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada, as well as Mexico, and an additional 10% on goods from China. The three countries are the U.S.’s three top trading partners.

Trudeau Has Been Battling Discontented Voters

Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has been grappling with voter discontent and falling approval ratings amid concerns about the economy and rising costs of living, as well as climate policies and immigration.

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