Donald Trump is still a month out from taking office as president, but his tariff threats are already wreaking havoc with US neighbors.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reeling from a potentially fatal political blow after his finance minister quit in spectacular fashion, accusing him of not preparing seriously enough to face down Trump.
Chrystia Freeland was more than just finance chief. She was a trusted Trudeau ally, and managed many of the government’s most sensitive international files, including China tariffs and US trade. A former foreign minister of Ukrainian descent, she was a strong voice against Russia.
Freeland was widely praised for overseeing Canada’s renegotiation of the North American free-trade pact during Trump’s first term, and was set to resume that role again.
Trump gleefully welcomed her departure, calling her “toxic.”
Her resignation took Trudeau completely by surprise. Tension between the two had been building for a while, and the prime minister told Freeland last week he intended to switch her to a different cabinet role.
But Trump and his threatened 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico loomed over the blow-up.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a blunter approach to Trump, pushing back on his border claims and threatening retaliation.
China, which Trump has threatened with tariffs of up to 60%, has showcased a range of tools it can deploy in response.
Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago to woo him, without any obvious success.
Freeland’s scathing resignation letter accused Trudeau of squandering funds on “costly political gimmicks,” like tax breaks on restaurant bills and Christmas toys, instead of preparing for a trade war.
Next year was already looking bad for Trudeau, with terrible polling numbers and an election due by October. At this point, he’ll be lucky to make it past Christmas.
If Trudeau does fall, it will be a potent signal of Trump’s ability to benefit from the chaos he loves to sow. — Brian Platt