Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to step down soon. He has indicated that he will leave office within a week. Reports suggest that the Liberal Party may choose a new leader in a meeting on Sunday, and by the end of next week, Canada could have a new Prime Minister. Notably, Trudeau’s decision comes at a time when former U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his tenure to the ongoing tariff war.

Trudeau has stated that he will step down within a week to allow his successor to take over. He has also declined to serve as the interim Prime Minister. Speaking to journalists in Ontario, he announced his decision, saying, “I look forward to my elected successor taking office in the coming days.”

According to Canadian media, the new Liberal leader is expected to take the oath as Prime Minister by the end of next week. The leadership election is scheduled for Sunday.

Trump’s Claim

On Thursday, Trump said, “Believe it or not, despite doing a poor job for Canada, Justin Trudeau is using the tariff issue—one that was largely raised by his side—to try and re-enter the race for Prime Minister. It will be interesting to watch.” Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly hinted at the idea of Canada becoming a part of the United States.

Trudeau Warns of a Possible Trade War

On Thursday, Trudeau expressed concerns about a potential trade war between Canada and the U.S. He described his recent talks with Trump as “lively and constructive.”

Trudeau stated that both sides discussed tariffs and are actively engaged in ongoing negotiations to ensure that certain industries and workers are not disproportionately affected. He also reiterated that Canada will not back down from its counter-tariffs unless the unfair U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods are removed.

Trump Offers Relief, Canada Temporarily Halts Tariffs

On Thursday, Trump granted tariff relief to Canada and Mexico, postponing certain tariffs until April 2. This exemption applies to goods covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Meanwhile, Canada also announced that it would delay the implementation of its second phase of tariffs on U.S. goods until April 2.