Canada's government faces uncertainty as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns, leaving the country vulnerable to looming U.S. tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump.
Canada’s government is facing political turmoil after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly resigned on Monday, leaving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration adrift just weeks before the inauguration of a U.S. administration that has threatened severe tariffs on Canadian exports.
Freeland stepped down after Trudeau offered her a lesser role in cabinet, citing disagreements over the prime minister's push for increased spending. She warned that excessive spending could weaken Canada’s ability to withstand the economic fallout from potential tariffs imposed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
As the head of a special cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, Freeland had been instrumental in coordinating with Canada’s 10 provinces to prepare a unified response to Trump’s trade policies.
Her departure came as a shock, particularly to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who criticized the government for leaving provincial leaders blindsided. Smith revealed that premiers learned of Freeland’s resignation halfway through a critical meeting about Canada-U.S. relations.
The resignation has further deepened internal divisions within Trudeau’s ruling Liberal Party. Disgruntled legislators, some of whom have been urging Trudeau to resign for months, gathered in Ottawa to express their frustration over the party’s declining popularity.
With national elections due no later than October 2025, the Liberals are trailing in the polls, putting Trudeau under increasing pressure to step aside.
Freeland’s departure comes at a precarious time for Canada’s economy. During Trump’s first presidency in 2017, he threatened to dismantle the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a move that could have devastated Canada’s U.S.-dependent economy.
Freeland, then foreign minister, played a pivotal role in renegotiating the deal, helping to secure the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
With Trump poised to return to power and hinting at renewed tariffs, Canada now finds itself without one of its most experienced negotiators at a crucial moment. Trudeau's government faces mounting pressure to stabilize the leadership vacuum and reassure Canadians that the country is prepared to navigate the economic and political challenges ahead.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Ho...
A breakaway Catholic group dedicated to preserving the traditional Latin Mass has ordained four new bishops in Switzerland, despite a direct appeal fr...
Microsoft is expected to announce a new round of job cuts as early as next week as the technology giant looks to reduce costs, according to reports....
The European Union will provide up to €200 million in grant funding to improve transport, energy and digital links across the South Caucasus, Europe...
At least 10 people were killed and 56 others injured after Russia launched a large overnight drone and missile attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian officials sai...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 29 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Canada secured a dramatic stoppage-time victory to reach the last 16, as a series of gripping World Cup matches saw Croatia, DR Congo and Argentina also progress.
A cemetery in the Gaza Strip containing the remains of 22 Canadian soldiers killed during a 1956 United Nations peacekeeping mission has been destroyed, according to media reports citing families of the deceased.
A shooting in Montreal, Canada has left three people dead, including a police officer, a civilian and the suspected attacker, police said.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A breakaway Catholic group dedicated to preserving the traditional Latin Mass has ordained four new bishops in Switzerland, despite a direct appeal from Pope Leo XIV to halt the ceremony.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 2nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
A California man has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its Chief Executive, Sam Altman, alleging that conversations with the company's ChatGPT chatbot worsened his bipolar disorder and contributed to a suicide attempt.
The United States has designated the Ecuadorian criminal group Chone Killers as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), imposing sanctions on a gang Washington says is responsible for attacks on civilians, police officers and public officials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment