by Sharon Rondeau
(Dec. 17, 2024) — In a post issued late Monday, President-Elect Donald J. Trump again referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor” of “the Great State of Canada.”
Though Trump’s relationship with Trudeau might have become frosty since he warned Trudeau he would impose a 25% tariff on imports should he fail to secure Canada’s border with the U.S., Trump’s recent remarks designating Canada a “state” and Trudeau “governor” of same could have been made in jest.
The son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau has served in that capacity since 2015.
Trump’s broader message referenced the resignation Monday of Canada’s Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, who also served as Trudeau’s deputy. Both are members of Canada’s “Liberal” Party.
In February 2022, the pair imposed harsh sanctions on Canadians protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for truck drivers re-entering Canada from the United States and other restrictions.
In response, Trudeau invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act to justify his and Freeland’s actions, which included halting a GoFundMe benefit for the truckers, whose protest in Ottawa and some border locations lasted approximately a month. On February 17, 2022, Freeland announced the administration ordered banks to freeze protesters’ and donors’ bank and credit accounts.
In January, a Canadian federal judge ruled Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act improperly.
On November 29, Trudeau met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in an unannounced visit, according to reports.
On December 2, Fox News reported of the ensuing conversation, “Trudeau told Trump he cannot levy the tariff because it would kill the Canadian economy completely. Trump replied – asking, so your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?”
“The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau,” Trump posted Monday. “Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. She will not be missed!!!”
On Monday Reuters published the headline, “Chrystia Freeland’s roles in Trudeau’s Liberal Government,” reporting that “Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on Monday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked her to take a lesser cabinet position, bringing more uncertainty to an already unpopular government.”
“Freeland said she and Trudeau had clashed on issues including spending and how to handle possible U.S. tariffs,” the article continues. “She posted a stinging letter on X saying Trudeau told her on Friday he no longer wanted her to be finance minister.”
The letter Freeland posted begins:
It has been the honour of my life to serving government, working for Canada and Canadians. We have accomplished a lot together.
On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinets.
Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet.
Freeland made clear she is opposed to “America First” policies, which she termed “economic nationalism” and a “threat.”
As noted in her resignation and “X” account, she remains a member of Parliament representing the “University-Rosedale” district Toronto formed in 2012.
On Tuesday Fox quoted in a broadcast an unidentified report claiming Trudeau, who is serving his second term as prime minister, is considering resigning as a result of “clashes with Trump.”
Late Monday, CTV reported Trudeau appeared at a series of public events even as he faced criticism and calls for his resignation from opposing politicians.
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is considering his options as leader, sources tell CTV News, after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland revealed she will quit cabinet,” the outlet wrote. “In an explosive resignation letter published Monday morning, Freeland ignited a storm of confusion and speculation on Parliament Hill the same day she was set to table her fall economic statement – a document that includes key economic metrics such as the size of Canada’s deficit. Leaders from the Conservative party and the Bloc Quebecois have demanded an election. The NDP’s leader has called on Trudeau to resign.”
Canada would be powerless to stop an annexation. But I would not do it at present or in the near future. Fewer people than in Ukraine in the way, it is noted. Have a western province secede and the ball starts rolling.
However, that it frosts Trudeau means that it is not outside the realm of possibility. All Canada would lose right now is Trudeau and a head of state (Charles.) Canada has earned it.
Hypotheses aside, Trump is doing something aligned with the famous G7(?) scene in Toronto a few years back in which he sits at a table with Japan’s Abe standing nearby – both with arms folded – and he is just listening to a group of foreign leaders leaning over and trying to make a case of some kind or another to him.
Flexing muscles and tweaking: makes Trudeau look like the boy he is. Immediate benefit.