Emotional Trudeau resigns amid rocky US-Canada relations

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, visibly emotional, is preparing to step down as his Liberal Party selects a new leader to navigate the country's rocky relationship with the United States, exacerbated by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

Trudeau, who has been in power for almost ten years, delivered an emotional farewell speech on Thursday. He emphasized his commitment to always prioritizing Canadians' interests throughout his tenure and pledged to continue supporting them even after he leaves office.

"Personally, I ensured that every day in this role, I put Canadians first and had their backs," Trudeau asserted. "I'm here to assure you that we remain committed. In these final days of this administration, and beyond, we will not let Canadians down."

Trudeau had announced his resignation in January following growing internal opposition and a decline in popularity. He will serve as interim prime minister until a successor is appointed.

The Liberal Party is expected to announce its new leader on Sunday. This leader will be tasked with guiding the party through the upcoming elections in October and managing the delicate relationship with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.

Amidst ongoing tensions, Trudeau addressed Trump's tariff threats, urging Canadians to stand united during challenging times. Tensions between the two leaders have been high, with Trump previously alluding to Canada as the "51st state" and calling Trudeau a "Governor."

This speech followed Trump's decision to pause new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, offering temporary relief to consumers and businesses after previous tariff hikes had disrupted financial markets. Both nations had imposed reciprocal 25% tariffs as a prelude to a potential trade war, which is now suspended until April 2.

Trudeau criticized Trump's confrontational tactics, advocating for a mutual prosperity approach, suggesting that "America First" should also consider the success of Canada and Mexico. He argued that true international trade and diplomacy require reciprocal benefits, unlike real estate transactions.