Former Trudeau ally Chrystia Freeland enters race to be Canada PM
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Canada’s former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland on Jan 19 promised a “dollar for dollar retaliation” in response to any Trump tariffs.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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MONTREAL – Canada’s former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland launched her campaign on Jan 19 to replace Mr Justin Trudeau as Liberal Party leader and prime minister, pitching herself as the best option to oppose incoming US president Donald Trump.
Ms Freeland had been one of Mr Trudeau’s closest allies in government since the Liberals swept into office in 2015, also serving four years as finance minister until her dramatic resignation in December
In a scathing resignation letter, she accused Mr Trudeau of putting his own political interest above the urgent need to prepare Canada for the potential threats of the incoming Trump administration, including a possible trade war.
Ms Freeland’s departure was seen as a devastating blow that pushed Mr Trudeau to announce his plans to leave office
Mr Trudeau said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until the Liberals choose a new leader, which is expected on March 9.
At an event officially launching her leadership bid, Ms Freeland said: “Donald Trump doesn’t like me for one simple reason: I have been fierce, resolute and effective in defending Canada.”
Trump, who retakes power on Jan 20, has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports until Canada addresses what he calls the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the US.
Trump called Ms Freeland “totally toxic” following her December resignation.
Ms Freeland was a lead negotiator at talks to revise North American free trade agreements during Trump’s first term.
On Jan 19, she promised a “dollar for dollar retaliation” in response to any Trump tariffs.
“If you force our hand, we will inflict the biggest trade blow that the United States has ever endured,” she said.
She blasted Trump’s proposed tariffs as “illegal and unjustified”.
In entering the race, Ms Freeland immediately becomes a front runner to replace Mr Trudeau along with Mr Mark Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
Mr Carney has positioned himself as an outsider, not tainted by the unpopular Mr Trudeau.
The Liberals are trailing the Conservatives badly in polls.
That means the winner of the Liberal leadership contest may not serve as prime minister for long, as opposition parties have pledged to bring down the government after Parliament returns on March 24, triggering a general election. AFP
