Former Trudeau ally Freeland enters race to be Canada PM

Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s former deputy prime minister, announced her candidacy on Sunday to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party, positioning herself as the most qualified candidate to challenge Donald Trump, the next US president.

Since the Liberals took power in 2015, Freeland had been one of Trudeau’s closest allies in the cabinet. Prior to her abrupt resignation last month, she had served as finance minister for four years.

She accused Trudeau in a harsh resignation letter of prioritizing his own political interests over the pressing need to get Canada ready for the potential trade war and other challenges posed by the incoming Trump administration.

Trudeau was compelled to declare his intention to step down after Freeland’s departure was viewed as a catastrophic blow.

Trudeau has stated that he will continue to serve as interim prime minister until March 9, when the Liberals are likely to select a new leader.

“Donald Trump doesn’t like me for one simple reason: I have been fierce, resolute, and effective in defending Canada,” Freeland stated at a ceremony formally beginning her run for president.

Threatening to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods unless Canada handles what he refers to be the flood of fentanyl and undocumented migrants into the United States, Trump will return to office on Monday.

Trump referred to Freeland as “totally toxic” after she resigned in December.

During Trump’s first term, Freeland led negotiations to update free trade accords in North America.

On Sunday, Freeland pledged “dollar for dollar retaliation” against any tariffs imposed by Trump.

“If you force our hand, we will inflict the biggest trade blow that the  United States has ever endured,” she added.

She blasted Trump’s proposed tariffs as “illegal and unjustified.”

Along with Mark Carney, who formerly oversaw the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Freeland enters the campaign as a clear favorite to succeed Trudeau.

The unpopular Trudeau has not tarnished Carney’s image as an outsider.

According to polls, the Liberals are well behind the Conservatives.

Because opposition parties have vowed to overthrow the government following parliament’s return on March 24 and call for a general election, the Liberal leadership candidate may not hold the job for very long.