Trump reacts to Trudeau’s resignation, Ford speaks out as Ottawa is in limbo

With less than two weeks until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration — and his threats of 25 per cent tariffs against Canadian goods — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Jan. 6 resignation has led to an unstable federal government and a nation in limbo.

Trump weighed in on Trudeau stepping down suggesting — once again — that Canada should merge with the U.S., which would remove any tariff threats.

He claimed that together the U.S. and Canada would be a great nation and said on his platform Truth Social that many people in Canada would “LOVE” being the 51st state, and that the country would be safer if a part of the United States.

“If Canada merged with the U.S.,” Trump said, “there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”

He has repeated this taunt ever since a dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate in November.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on CNN Monday night and was asked about Trump’s latest comments. He was also interviewed by the BBC after Trudeau’s resignation news broke.

While on CNN Ford said that Canada is not to blame for Trump’s trade complaints and called out China for shipping and distributing “cheap parts” through Mexico.

Ford stressed on Monday that the federal government must “urgently” explain to Canadians how the country plans to avoid the 25 per cent tariff threat on Canadian goods.

“We need the prime minister to focus 100 per cent on the U.S. tariffs,” Ford said.

He also spoke again about “Fortress Am-Can” which he describes as a “beacon of stability, security and long term economic growth” for both Canada and the U.S.

Ford and Canada’s premiers are requesting a meeting with Trudeau next week to focus on a tariff threat strategy.

Regardless of the political situation in Ottawa, over the next fourteen days the prime minister must be squarely focused on doing everything possible to prevent U.S. tariffs. This includes fulfilling his commitment to regularly meet with Canada’s premiers to support a Team Canada… pic.twitter.com/1ke3eRsa5h

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 6, 2025

It was confirmed Tuesday morning that Canada’s premiers will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8 to discuss the unfolding situation of Trudeau’s resignation and possible impending tariffs.

Next Step for the Liberals

Trudeau will remain prime minister until a new Liberal leader is selected by the party. With the prime minister stepping down, the race is on to find the next party head.

Some of the front-runners include former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney.

READ MORE: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign after Liberals choose new leader

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said on Monday that the next prime minister will need to hit the ground running when it comes to Canada-U.S. trade relations.