Toronto, Jan. 6: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is likely to announce his resignation this week amid growing pressure from his own party’s lawmakers, just weeks before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to impose steep tariffs on all imports from the country.
According to the Globe and Mail, which first reported the matter, citing unnamed Canadian Liberal Party sources, Trudeau could announce the decision as early as Monday, ahead of his party’s national caucus meeting on Wednesday.
Trudeau reportedly wants to make the announcement before the meeting to avoid it looking like he was forced out by his party’s lawmakers—many of whom have called for him both publicly and privatelyd to resign.
Trudeau’s government was dealt a blow last month when his Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland publicly announcedy her resignation in a letter criticizing the prime minister.
Calls for Trudeau’s resignation have grown since Freeland’s exit, but the Canadian premier has largely remained out of the public spotlight during the holidays.
Trudeau’s exit is likely to trigger a leadership battle within the Liberal Party-led government, just weeks before Trump is set to take office and potentially follow through with his tariff threats.-Agencies