Trudeau Reshuffles One-Third Of His Cabinet Under Leadership Pressure, While Facing Attacks From Trump

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuffled his cabinet on Friday, replacing one-third of his team amid mounting political pressure on his leadership and rising tensions with incoming US President Donald Trump.

The move followed a tumultuous week in Ottawa, triggered by the surprise resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who stepped down after clashing with Trudeau over Trump's threats to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports. Freeland's departure, after nearly a decade working alongside Trudeau, marked the first public dissent within his cabinet and further fueled criticism of his leadership.

In the wake of her resignation, Trudeau has retreated with his advisors, reportedly weighing his political future amid increasing calls for him to step down before the October 2025 elections, which are now expected to occur sooner.

The cabinet shakeup on Friday saw eight new ministers appointed to replace those who will not seek reelection and to ease the workload of others. Additionally, four current ministers were given new responsibilities.

Freeland, who also resigned as finance minister, has stated she plans to seek reelection next year. Hours after her departure, Trudeau’s longtime friend and ally, Dominic LeBlanc, was sworn in as the new finance minister and assumed responsibility for negotiating with the incoming Trump administration.

Several new cabinet members expressed their confidence in Trudeau as they entered the swearing-in ceremony, but some in his caucus have called for his resignation, fearing that voter fatigue could undermine the Liberals in the next election.

Trudeau, who rose to power in 2015 and won re-election in 2019 and 2021, is now trailing his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, by 20 points in public opinion polls. Additionally, his party lost four by-elections this year.

Adding to his troubles, Trudeau faces the threat of Trump imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, accusing both nations of allowing illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, and undocumented migrants to flood the US. With over 75 percent of Canadian exports going to the US, and nearly two million Canadian jobs tied to trade, the potential tariffs could severely impact Canada’s economy.

In her resignation letter, Freeland warned that such tariffs could lead to a "tariff war" with the US and criticized Trudeau’s spending policies, urging Ottawa to keep its “fiscal powder dry.”

Trudeau traveled to Florida last month to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, hoping to avoid a trade war. Trump described the talks as "very productive." However, since then, the president-elect has attacked Trudeau on social media, referring to him as the "governor" of Canada and suggesting that Canada becoming the 51st US state would be a “great idea.” These taunts are seen by political analysts as an attempt to put Trudeau on the defensive in future negotiations.