Who Will Replace Justin Trudeau As Canada’s Next PM? Liberals To Announce Name Amid US, China Tariff Tensions

<p>The Liberal Party of Canada is set to announce Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&rsquo;s successor on Monday, marking a crucial transition as the country faces a trade dispute with the United States. The new leader will have to navigate negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened additional tariffs on Canada, and prepare for an upcoming general election against the opposition Conservatives. &nbsp;</p> <p>Trudeau, who has been in power for more than nine years, announced in January that he would step down following a sharp decline in his approval ratings. This prompted the ruling Liberal Party to conduct a swift leadership contest. &nbsp;</p> <p>According to news agency Reuters, former central banker Mark Carney has emerged as the frontrunner, securing the most endorsements from party members and raising the highest amount of funds among the four Liberal candidates. Around two-thirds of Trudeau's cabinet have publicly backed Carney. &nbsp;</p> <p>A Mainstreet poll conducted in late February showed Carney with 43% support among Liberals, compared to 31% for his main rival, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. &nbsp;</p> <p>Freeland, who played a key role in negotiating with Trump during his first term, has struggled to differentiate herself from Trudeau after years of being a loyal supporter. She left the government in December after Trudeau attempted to replace her and later criticised his administration&rsquo;s spending policies. &nbsp;</p> <p>Mark Carney, 59, would make history as the first outsider without a political background to become Canada&rsquo;s prime minister if he wins. He has touted his experience as the first person to serve as the governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, arguing that this makes him best suited to handle negotiations with Trump. &nbsp;</p> <p>During his campaign, Carney supported a policy of dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. and a coordinated strategy to boost investment. He has been critical of Canada's economic growth under Trudeau, stating it has not been strong enough, Reuters reported. &nbsp;</p> <h3><strong> Liberal Party Sees Resurgence Amid US Trade Tensions &nbsp;</strong></h3> <p>The looming trade conflict and Trump&rsquo;s controversial remarks, including repeated taunts about annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state, have fuelled a resurgence in Liberal Party support. Notably, China has also announced tariffs on over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products in response to levies Ottawa introduced in October.</p> <p>At the beginning of 2025, the Liberals trailed the Conservatives by more than 20 points, but they are now statistically tied in several polls. &nbsp;</p> <p>"There is a rallying around the flag moment that we would never have predicted a year ago," said University of British Columbia politics professor Richard Johnston, as quoted by Reuters. "I think it's probably true as we speak that the Liberals have been saved from oblivion."</p> <p>"Is it ideal in a circumstance of bilateral crisis for us? I suppose not," Drew Fagan, a professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, told Reuters. "But on the other hand, the process is playing out domestically as it should."</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <a title="" href="https://ift.tt/DXflKFy" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1756512" aria-describedby="tooltip563561">Armed Man Shot At By US Secret Service Agents Near White House After 'Confrontation'</a></strong></p> <h3><strong> New Canadian PM To Face Vote Of Confidence, May Call Snap Elections&nbsp;</strong></h3> <p>The next Canadian prime minister will face critical decisions immediately. The minority Liberal government may encounter a confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes at the end of March, potentially leading to an election. &nbsp;</p> <p>The new leader might opt to call an immediate election rather than go through the process of forming a cabinet. However, an election must be held no later than 20 October. &nbsp;</p> <p>Polls suggest that neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives are on track to secure a majority government. &nbsp;</p> <p>If Carney is elected leader, he could legally serve as prime minister without a seat in the House of Commons. However, tradition dictates that he should contest a parliamentary seat at the earliest opportunity. A precedent for this exists&mdash;John Turner became prime minister in 1984 after winning the Liberal leadership race without being a legislator at the time. &nbsp;</p> <p>The Liberal Party is expected to announce the first round of results at approximately 6:30 p.m. (4:00 am&nbsp;<span class="KfQeJ">Monday </span>IST).</p>

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