US President Donald Trump accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of inflating a trade conflict to maintain his political power during a friendly phone call. Trump expressed skepticism about Trudeau’s inability to specify the timing of Canada’s upcoming election, suggesting it was a tactic to cling to leadership. Trudeau, who announced his resignation, will be replaced after a Liberal party leadership contest, with a federal election required by October. Their relationship has been tense, particularly over trade issues, with Trudeau criticizing Trump’s tariffs as detrimental while Trump has suggested an interest in annexing Canada.
Washington:
US President Donald Trump has accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of exaggerating a Canada-US trade dispute to maintain his grip on power, following a “somewhat friendly” phone conversation on Wednesday.
In a post on social media, Trump remarked that Trudeau “couldn’t tell me when the Canadian Election is scheduled, which piqued my curiosity—what’s happening here? I then realized he is trying to leverage this situation to remain in power.”
Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, is set to step down after this weekend’s Liberal party leadership election determines his successor.
The new leader will subsequently assume the office of prime minister and possess the authority to call the next federal election, which is required to be held by October at the latest—though experts suggest it might occur sooner.
Canadian prime ministers have the ability to call elections at any time during their government’s five-year tenure.
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, he and Trudeau have maintained a contentious relationship, clashing over trade issues and fentanyl smuggling.
A visibly frustrated Trudeau stated on Tuesday, after Trump implemented 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports to the United States, that while he considers Trump a “smart guy,” the tariffs represent a “very foolish decision.”
He additionally accused Trump of attempting to destabilize the Canadian economy to facilitate its annexation.
Trump has frequently mentioned the idea of making Canada the 51st state of America.
The Republican leader’s trade criticisms have also been accompanied by a distinct disdain for the individual he refers to as “Governor Trudeau.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)